President Donald Trump defended his decision to place Washington, D.C.’s police force under temporary federal control and station hundreds of National Guard troops across the capital, telling reporters at an 26 Aug. Cabinet meeting that “Republicans are the party that wants to stop crime” while “the Democrats like crime.” The takeover, launched under the District’s Home Rule Act on 11 Aug., is due to expire after 30 days unless extended by Congress; the White House has signaled it could replicate the approach in other Democratic-led cities such as Chicago, Baltimore and New York. New survey data suggest the hard-line strategy is resonating with many voters. An Associated Press-NORC poll conducted 21-25 Aug. shows Trump’s nationwide job-approval rating at 45%, up five percentage points from July and the highest the poll has recorded in either of his terms. Fifty-three percent of respondents approve of his handling of crime, while 81% say crime is a major problem in large cities. A narrow majority—55%—call the use of National Guard or other military personnel to assist local police acceptable, but most oppose a full federal takeover of city police departments. The polling boost strengthens Trump’s hand as he prepares for the 2026 midterm campaign, where he predicts public safety will dominate the agenda. Democrats have condemned the federalization of D.C.’s police as overreach and question its legality, while civil-rights groups warn that an expanded military role in domestic policing could invite court challenges. For now, the numbers indicate that Trump’s crime crackdown is helping him shore up support beyond his Republican base—even as it deepens partisan divisions over the proper limits of federal power in law-enforcement.