DC police tackled an illegal alien on the National Mall after he tried to escape.
The man repeatedly shouted in Spanish, “Please! I’m not a criminal. I work here! I want to be with my family!”
Video courtesy of NBC Washington:
BREAKING: Just saw DC Police + federal agents detain a man on the National Mall. He appeared to try to escape, then was quickly tackled to the ground by several agents + was screaming in Spanish “please, I’m not a criminal, I work here, I want to be with my family” @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/56IlXEvYbN
— Aimee Cho (@AimeeCho4) August 20, 2025
Update: Per the DHS, the man is an illegal alien from Mexico who was previously arrested for aggravated sexual assault of a child under 13.
This illegal alien from Mexico was previously arrested in January 2024 in Fairfax County for aggravated sexual assault of a child under 13.
He entered and had a final order of removal and chose to voluntary return- twice. Illegally entered 3 times.
Thank you to law enforcement…
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) August 20, 2025
President Trump recently announced that he is invoking Section 740 of the DC Home Rule Act to place Washington, DC’s Metropolitan Police Department under “direct federal control” and authorizing the Secretary of Defense to deploy National Guard troops in Washington, DC.
Section 740 of the DC Home Rule Act allows the President to take control of the Metropolitan Police Department under “special conditions of an emergency nature.”
The President signed two executive actions on Monday, including invoking powers under section 740 and sending statutorily required letters to the DC Mayor and the necessary congressional committees. Section 740 requires the President to notify the committee chairmen and the mayor in order to federalize the Metropolitan police for more than forty-eight hours.
He also signed a Presidential memorandum directing the Secretary of Defense to utilize National Guard troops to clean up DC and authorizing state governors to use their National Guard troops at home.
“We will bring in the military if it’s needed,” Trump told reporters.
According to Attorney General Pam Bondi, more than 550 people have been arrested in DC since the federal takeover.
The DHS announced it has apprehended more than 200 illegals in DC including several notorious gang members.
Since President Donald Trump’s federal takeover of the D.C. police force, authorities have apprehended more than 200 illegal immigrants, including several known gang members.https://t.co/65wrYoEgmk
— 7News DC (@7NewsDC) August 20, 2025
