President Trump established a task force Thursday to revitalize and “beautify” the nation’s capital.
The task force will be known as the “D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force,” according to an executive order signed Thursday. The task force will be comprised of members of different government agencies.
The task force will work to increase the numbers of law enforcement in public areas and “strictly enforce quality-of-life laws in public,” heavily enforce immigration laws, help get accreditation for D.C.’s forensic crime laboratory, and help the local police department recruit new members.
It also will aim to strengthen pre-trial detention policies, expedite concealed-carry licenses, and stop fare evasion on the metro system.
To help beautify the city, the task force will create a program that will help restore federal buildings, monuments, statues, parks and roadways, the fact sheet said. It also directs the National Park Service to remove all homeless encampments across the city.
The fact sheet cited “historic highs” of crime in the district, saying Democrats touted decreased crime in 2024, but rates “still represent a massive increase from earlier rates.”
“In 2023, violent crime rose by 39 percent. Property crime rose by 24 percent,” it said.
It also said the D.C. Metro Police Department “needs” at least 4,000 officers, but currently has less than 3,500.
The fact sheet also provided three bullet-pointed examples of how “D.C.’s failed policies opened the door to disorder — and criminals noticed.”
“• Abandoned traditional pre-trial detention and effectively replaced it with ‘catch-and-release.’
“• Decriminalized marijuana.
“• Lets rioters run loose even if they vandalize property and assault police.”
“Our nation’s capital, the only city that belongs to all of us, must be a symbol of pride for the American people and a safe location for public servants to do the people’s work. Today, because of failed policies, it’s not,” the fact sheet said.
