DC Takeover Likely to be Popular

My work takes me to DC several times a year -- indeed, I'll be back there next month. I imagine it will be a much more peaceful place than previously, with somewhat less of the aroma of marijuana. 

Unlike some of the contested stretches of Presidential authority, this one is perfectly within the rules. It will be psychologically interesting; the citizens of DC are unusually opposed to Trump, both in scale and intensity, because of their frequent personal or family relationship with the gigantic Federal bureaucracies that DOGE and other Trump efforts are slightly shrinking or, occasionally, dismantling. However, the collapse of crime rates likely to occur in this 30 day period will be noticeable, and it may have some lingering effects as those arrested for things like firearms possession are kept off the streets (for a few days, probably, as the DC attorney may not be willing to prosecute them; but potentially for five years or more, if they are prohibited felons in possession and the Federal government is able to bring charges).

This action does not constitute martial law, but even outright martial law is often popular for the same reasons -- at least at first. 

In September 1972 Marcos declared martial law, claiming that it was the last defense against the rising disorder.... Initial public reaction to martial law was mostly favourable except in Muslim areas of the south, where a separatist rebellion, led by the MNLF, broke out in 1973....

Under martial law the regime was able to reduce violent urban crime, collect unregistered firearms, and suppress communist insurgency in some areas. 

This one requires Congressional approval once they're back from vacation if it is to go on for more than 30 days after they return to session, so it is in a very different class from Marcos' action. Still, it's likely to achieve similar effects for as long as it lasts. 

UPDATE: Liz Peek: 

The New York Times wrote, “President Trump is not the only elected leader to deploy National Guard troops in response to a supposed crime wave that many have questioned. In March 2024, Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York, a Democrat, announced that she would deploy 750 members of the National Guard to New York’s subway system.” Though the “paper of record” was quick to point out that the circumstances were different, the main conclusion? It worked. Subway crime dropped 27 percent in the 12 months following the troops’ deployment.

The same will happen in DC.

Likelier than not, yes.