Nation

Washington law enforcers to be boosted for America 250, DOJ announces

By Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff and Andrew Goudsward Reuters
U.S. Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald speaks during a press conference on details of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force "summer surge", ahead of America250 events, at the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 15, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
U.S. Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald speaks during a press conference on details of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force "summer surge", ahead of America250 events, at the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 15, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper Kylie Cooper Reuters

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Justice Department on Friday announced a planned "summer surge" of law enforcement into Washington, D.C., ahead of events surrounding the U.S. 250th anniversary celebration.

• Federal government temporarily took over D.C. law enforcement last summer through presidential executive order

• Authorities request 1,500 more National Guard troops to bring total to 5,000, U.S. Marshals Director Gadyaces Serralta says.

(Reporting by Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff and Andrew Goudsward; Editing by Andy Sullivan and Kevin Liffey)

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 1:35 PM.