JCRC Statement
August 11, 2025
The following is a statement from Ron Halber, chief executive officer of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington.
“As home to one of the largest and most vibrant Jewish communities in the country, the JCRC of Greater Washington has for decades proudly supported the principles of self-determination and home rule for Washington, DC. The Administration’s decision to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and deploy National Guard troops into our nation’s capital is an affront to those principles, every city resident, and democracy itself.
“This deeply misguided decision disregards hard facts — violent crime in DC is at a 30-year low — and improperly asserts military control over what should be local policing responsibilities. We also denounce the dehumanizing language that President Trump has used in the context of this announcement to describe people experiencing homelessness. They should be treated with respect and compassion rather than scorn.
“We truly appreciate the MPD officers who heroically protect families and communities every day. We would welcome the federal government offering additional resources to help the MPD hire more officers and increase their pay and benefits. But federalizing local police departments and sending National Guard troops into cities without cause should not happen in DC or anywhere else. We urge the Administration to recognize the damage that this decision is inflicting and reverse it immediately.”