Washington, D.C. has become the epicenter of a dramatic federal intervention, as the Trump administration’s 30-day takeover of the city’s police and the deployment of National Guard troops have sparked controversy, fear, and a wave of immigration enforcement unlike anything the capital has seen in recent memory. Layered atop this militarized response is an aggressive new recruitment campaign for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), featuring flashy Ford Mustang GT muscle cars and a multimillion-dollar hiring spree.
The federal government’s move began on August 10, 2025, when it ordered the D.C. National Guard to mobilize under the stated goal of fighting violent crime. But as The Atlantic and Detroit Free Press report, the reality on the ground quickly diverged from that official narrative. By August 20, six states—Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia—had sent or pledged to send their own Guard troops to D.C., swelling the force to an estimated 1,900, including 800 D.C. Guard units and 1,100 from the states. The city’s iconic streets, especially those popular with tourists, saw a heavy National Guard presence, even though these areas aren’t known for high levels of violent crime.
But the most consequential shift wasn’t the visible show of force. Instead, President Trump invoked a rarely used provision of D.C.’s Home Rule Charter on August 11, 2025, effectively seizing control of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) for 30 days. This allowed the administration to direct local police to cooperate closely with ICE and federal immigration enforcement agencies—undoing years of local policies that had limited such collaboration.
The shakeup was swift. On August 14, the head of the MPD was abruptly replaced by the acting chief from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, and all policies restricting cooperation with ICE were initially repealed. After a lawsuit from the District, some restrictions returned, but the mayor was still ordered to assist ICE with enforcement operations and provide access to police databases.
Every day since, D.C. residents have posted videos of federal agents—sometimes in mismatched uniforms or lacking clear identification—patrolling neighborhoods, staffing checkpoints, and making arrests. According to The Atlantic, these operations have disproportionately targeted immigrants. Over the weekend before August 18, agents violently arrested a delivery biker in the U Street corridor, a diverse area known for its nightlife. On Monday, ICE and MPD officers jointly manned a driver checkpoint in Northeast D.C. Other checkpoints appeared near bars and restaurants, with federal agents and local police working side by side.
These tactics have left many D.C. neighborhoods, especially those with large immigrant populations like Mount Pleasant, gripped by fear. Residents are staying home, skipping work, and avoiding public events. The White House itself has reported that over 40% of the 300 people arrested in the first week of the federal takeover were purported unauthorized immigrants—a staggering figure that underscores the true focus of the operation. With more than 1.5 million immigrants living in the D.C. metro area, the chilling effect has been profound.
It’s not just boots on the ground that are changing the face of immigration enforcement in the capital. The Trump administration is also pouring money and marketing muscle into ICE recruitment. On August 7, 2025, the White House made an immediate request to purchase two Ford Mustang GT muscle cars for $121,450—part of a flashy campaign to attract new ICE agents. The cars, delivered by Banister Ford of Marlow Heights, Maryland, just days after the order, are intended to serve as high-octane symbols at recruitment events.
Federal procurement documents obtained by Detroit Free Press reveal the urgency behind the purchase: “The agency’s need for the services is so urgent and compelling that providing full and open competition would result in unacceptable delays and seriously hinder the Government’s recruiting initiative.” The Mustangs, the documents say, are meant to “enhance recruitment efforts in support of the USC Title 8 mission and HR 1 OBBBA recruiting, by serving as a bold, high-performance symbol of innovation, strength and modern federal service.” The government believes the cars’ “eye-catching design increases public engagement at outreach events and helps attract top talent by conveying a culture of excellence and forward momentum.”
This latest purchase comes on the heels of ICE spending over $700,000 to customize a fleet of SUVs and pickup trucks for recruitment, including a Ford Raptor and a GMC Yukon painted to mimic the look of Donald Trump’s private Boeing 757, complete with navy blue paint, red-and-white racing stripes, and a gold ICE logo. The words “President Donald J. Trump” are emblazoned on the rear window, and “Defend the homeland” is painted on the side. One of the new Mustangs was spotted in D.C. on August 18, sporting the same gold ICE logo and patriotic slogan.
Congress is backing this recruitment drive in a big way. In July 2025, lawmakers approved $30 billion for ICE to hire approximately 14,000 new immigration officers over the next two fiscal years. Yet, as reported in The Atlantic, morale within the agency remains low. Officers face high expectations, shifting priorities, and job insecurity, all while being pressured by Trump adviser Stephen Miller to meet strict arrest quotas. As one report put it, “Officers and agents have spent much of the past five months clocking weekends and waking up at 4 a.m. for predawn raids. Their top leaders have been ousted or demoted, and their supervisors—under threat of being fired—are pressuring them to make more and more arrests.”
For Banister Ford, the dealership that sold the Mustangs, the sale was business as usual. “I didn’t know it was the White House. Donald Trump didn’t call me,” said Dan Banister, the owner. “We sell to a wide range of customers including individuals, businesses and government agencies. We don’t take any political position on who purchases a vehicle. We just want to provide a quality vehicle with professional service.” Banister added, “It just happened they saw our name in there and contacted us and I thought it was an honor. I love being in a position where we can help and the Mustang is a great vehicle.”
Meanwhile, the consequences of the federal takeover are likely to linger long after the 30-day period ends. Even if local control is restored, the hundreds detained during the operation face uncertain futures—many in overcrowded, inhumane facilities or at risk of deportation. The fear and disruption sown by these tactics, both visible and covert, have reshaped daily life for countless D.C. residents.
As the capital city continues to grapple with the fallout, the intertwining of law enforcement, immigration policy, and political spectacle serves as a stark reminder of how quickly the familiar can be upended—and how deeply such changes can reverberate through a community.