‘Trying to Hold My Temper’ [WATCH]

President Donald Trump’s announcement of a sweeping federal response to violent crime in Washington, D.C., drew immediate criticism from MSNBC contributor Eddie Glaude, who claimed he was “trying to hold [his] temper” during a Monday appearance on Chris Jansing Reports.

As The Independent Journal Review reported, Trump outlined a series of measures to address crime in the capital, including declaring a “public safety emergency,” deploying the National Guard, and placing the city’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) under federal control.

He also announced that Attorney General Pam Bondi would oversee the federal takeover of the MPD.

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Speaking to host Chris Jansing, Glaude alleged that Trump’s actions were politically motivated.

“I think there’s an ongoing argument that he’s having in his head with Black Lives Matter. There’s an ongoing argument that he’s having with the questions around criminal justice reform and police reform,” Glaude said.

“It’s interesting that he really doesn’t really care about what’s actually happening in D.C. on a certain level, because he’s not trying to get at the underlying root causes. He’s not looking at examples of how to address rising crime rates that doesn’t require a form of policing that leads to increased incarceration,” he continued.

Glaude went on to connect Trump’s decision to unrelated matters, claiming it was an effort to shift attention away from the Jeffrey Epstein case.

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“When we try to treat this as a rational response, then we lose sight of the actual politics that’s being played here,” he said.

“And he’s actually trying to give his base red meat to get them off of the Epstein story. And it’s on the backs of citizens in Washington, D.C. He’s going to undermine the democratic process in the district!”

The president’s announcement follows a series of violent incidents in the city, despite MPD data showing a 26% drop in violent crime compared to 2024. As of 2025, there have been 99 homicides in the district.

Notable recent crimes include the August 5 attack on former Department of Government Efficiency employee Edward Coristine, known as “Big Balls,” who was beaten while trying to stop a carjacking.

On June 30, 21-year-old congressional intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym was killed in a gang-related shooting near a Metro station after suspects allegedly exited a vehicle and opened fire.

In May, 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez was charged with fatally shooting two Israeli Embassy staffers outside the Capital Jewish Museum.

Trump’s directive, authorized under the D.C. Home Rule Act, gives the federal government temporary control of MPD operations and allows for the deployment of the National Guard to assist with public safety efforts.

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