President Donald Trump has announced he will personally accompany law enforcement and military personnel on patrol in Washington, D. C. (Image: Getty)
President Donald Trump has announced he will personally accompany law enforcement and military personnel on patrol in Washington, D. C. tonight, according to a live interview with conservative radio presenter Todd Starnes.
Mr Trump provided no specifics about the patrol’s nature or whether officials had sanctioned his involvement, but his startling declaration immediately sparked a flurry of online speculation.
“I’m going to be going out tonight, I think, with the police, and with the military, of course,” the president informed the radio presenter on Thursday. The news comes as Trump was humiliated on Fox News.
A senior White House official confirmed that arrangements for the ride-along are still being finalised, reports the Mirror US.
Read more: Trump copies iconic 1959 image to taunt Vladimir Putin
Read more: Alex Jones warns Trump could ‘collapse’ within 12 months due to health issue
Critics have questioned both the legality and gravity of the announcement, whilst supporters have praised it as evidence of Trump’s resolve and leadership qualities.
“Commander-in-Chief? More like Commander-in-Action,” one individual posted on X.
“Riding shotgun, bet he’s carrying a Mossberg 500. Probably jumping across rooftops and sliding over car hoods,” a second person remarked.
Other X users were far less flattering about the president’s decision.
“OLD MAN with tiny hands DOES COP ‘RIDE-ALONG’ FOR HIS NEIGHBOURHODD WATCH PATCH,” one person wrote.
Protesters demonstrate near members of the National Guard as they stand watch outside Union Station in Washington, DC, on August 20, 2025. US President Donald Trump on August 11 deployed military and federal law enforcement to curb violent crime in Washington, as he seeks to make good on his campaign pledge to be a “law and order” president. The Republican leader said he would place the city’s Metropolitan Police under federal government control while also sending the National Guard onto the streets of the US capital. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images) (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
“This is the same guy that was in his bunker during the BLM protests,” a second person added.
“He’ll ride around the tourist area and talk about how peaceful it is.
“So a felon will be roaming the streets of DC? That’s increasing crime, not stopping it,” a third user savaged. A fourth person joked that “D.C.’s top criminal will be prowling in the dark tonight.”
Trump accompanying law enforcement is the latest in a series of stunts the president has pulled to highlight his crackdown on crime in the nation’s capital. It was announced that authorities in Washington, D.C, were offering a £500 reward for those who provided tips leading to arrests.
Members of the National Guard patrol near the Washington Monument on the National Mall near the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on August 20, 2025. US President Donald Trump on August 11 deployed military and federal law enforcement to curb violent crime in Washington, as he seeks to make good on his campaign pledge to be a “law and order” president. The Republican leader said he would place the city’s Metropolitan Police under federal government control while also sending the National Guard onto the streets of the US capital. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images) (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
“We have now made over 550 arrests in Washington, D.C. and have taken 76 illegal firearms off the streets-saving lives. You can help- [US Marshals Service] is offering a reward for any information leading to an arrest.
“Together, we will make DC safe again,” Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on X. Earlier this month, Trump had deployed the National Guard and used his presidential authority to bring Washington, D.C. police under federal oversight in a bid to “take our capital back.”
Trump announced he was activating Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act and placing the Washington, D. C. police under direct federal supervision to restore the capital. According to Trump, the activation of the powers would be known as a “Liberation Day.”
US President Donald Trump speaks during the unveiling of the Kennedy Center Honors nominees (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
“You’ll be meeting the people directly involved with that,” Trump said. “Very good people. But they’re tough and they know what’s happening and they’ve done it before.”
During a press conference at the White House, the president stated that deploying the National Guard would aid in restoring “law” and “order” for “public safety” in the nation’s capital. Trump claimed that journalists are “victims of it” as they don’t wish to be “mugged and raped and shot and killed.
“And you all know people that, are friends of yours that, that happened,” he continued. “You want to be able to leave your flat or your house where you live and feel safe… and you don’t have that now.”
On Monday, three more Republican governors gave their approval for the deployment of National Guard troops to Washington.