D.C. religious leaders strongly condemned President Trump's federal takeover of the city's police force, denouncing his inflammatory rhetoric and fear-mongering. They argued that his approach, deploying the National Guard and assuming police control, is counterproductive to public safety, especially given the city's 30-year low in violent crime. The clergy advocated for collaborative, long-term solutions focusing on addressing root causes of crime, criticizing Congress's withholding of vital funding for such programs. They also condemned the comparison to harsh immigration enforcement tactics.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.