A Princeton University professor has labeled President Trump’s recent law enforcement initiative in Washington, D.C., as evidence of a creeping authoritarian agenda. The professor accused the former president of targeting minority communities and undermining democratic norms, linking the move to broader concerns about federal overreach.
Princeton Professor Khalil Gibran Muhammad made the claim during an interview with Democracy Now! He criticized President Trump’s directive to increase federal control over policing in D.C., stating it mirrors past strategies of scapegoating and militarization. Muhammad cited similar tactics used in Los Angeles and warned they could soon extend to cities like Chicago and New York.
According to Muhammad, Trump’s portrayal of the nation’s capital as overrun with “roving mobs” is a political fabrication. He noted that Washington, D.C., recorded a 30-year low in violent crime as of January 2025. The professor claimed Trump is exploiting urban centers to rally political support, alleging that minority communities are being unfairly blamed.
Muhammad also pointed to President Trump’s pardoning of January 6 participants as contradictory to his law-and-order message. He argued that while Trump increases federal policing in liberal cities, he simultaneously protects individuals involved in the Capitol unrest. This dual approach, Muhammad stated, raises serious questions about the administration’s respect for democratic institutions and equal application of justice.
The comments have reignited debate over executive power, local autonomy, and constitutional limits. Critics of the administration see the move as federal overreach, while supporters argue it is necessary to restore order in lawless cities controlled by progressive leadership.
