Trump Seizes Power in D.C.

Authoritarianism isn’t coming. It’s here. And we can’t stay silent.

On Monday morning, Donald Trump took control of Washington D.C.’s metropolitan police department. The announcement was followed by a chilling statement from newly installed Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who confirmed that the National Guard would soon be “flowing into the streets of Washington.”

Then came the president’s own words, posted on his personal platform, Truth Social:

“D.C. will be LIBERATED today.
Crime, Savagery, Filth, and Scum will DISAPPEAR.”

To some, this may sound like hyperbole. To others, it’s business as usual from a man who’s already promised to be a “dictator on day one.” But make no mistake – this is a new phase.

Manufactured Crisis, Real Authoritarianism

The White House has since attempted to justify the move by citing a “crime emergency” in the capital. Their goal, they claim, is to remove the homeless population and make the city “more beautiful.”

The problem? Violent crime in D.C. is at a 30-year low. Federal statistics confirm it. Independent observers have verified it.

This isn’t about safety. It’s about power.

Like so many strongmen before him, Trump is manufacturing a crisis to justify a power grab. It’s the oldest trick in the authoritarian playbook: invent a threat, invoke emergency powers, and strip away rights in the name of order.

It’s not a stretch to say we’ve seen these tactics before – in 1930s Europe, in the early days of other failed democracies, and now, potentially, in the United States.

The Hypocrisy Is Blinding

Trump’s “law and order” stance is pure theatre.

He pardoned hundreds of violent January 6th rioters. At least one of them now works inside the Justice Department.

He’s been found guilty of 34 felony counts – yet shows no remorse, no humility, and no respect for the rule of law.

This latest move may be a distraction from the Epstein files he promised to release and hasn't. Or it may be the first concrete step toward a state of martial law.

Either way, it reveals a truth we can’t ignore: Trump’s grip on American institutions is tightening – and his disregard for democratic norms is growing more dangerous by the day.

No Red Carpet for Authoritarians

In light of all this, it’s astonishing that the UK government still plans to welcome Trump this September.

There should be no red carpet for a man who incites violence, threatens democracy, and now sends troops into a city he claims to govern with absolute power.

On September 17th, we’ll be on the streets with the Stop Trump Coalition to say so – loudly and clearly.

Not in our name. Not in this country. Britain must not legitimise the rise of authoritarianism.

We’ll be out on the streets protesting Trump's visit on 17th September to send that message loud and clear, along with the rest of the Stop Trump Coalition.