A tense incident occurred near the National Mall on Wednesday when a man attempted to flee federal custody after being pulled over during a traffic stop. Video captured by NBC Washington’s Aimee Cho shows federal agents and a D.C. police officer stopping a blue SUV, whose Spanish-speaking driver suddenly ran after exiting the vehicle. Agents quickly tackled and restrained him.

The man, while being held, shouted in Spanish that he was “not a criminal” and claimed to work in the city. Authorities have not released details regarding his immigration status or the reason for the stop, sparking further questions about the broader context of the arrest.

The attempted escape comes amid a sweeping federal law enforcement surge in Washington, D.C., ordered by President Donald Trump to combat rising violent crime. Since early August, Trump has taken direct control of the D.C. police through the Home Rule Act and deployed over 1,400 federal officers and National Guard troops.

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According to data released by the D.C. Police Union, the federal intervention has led to noticeable drops in crime. Carjackings have plummeted by 83%, robberies by 46%, and overall crime by 8%. Homicides have also decreased by 25%, though that trend began before the federal takeover.

In response to the crime crisis, Trump plans to double the number of National Guard troops stationed in the capital. Already, 800 Guardsmen are present, with additional troops from Mississippi, South Carolina, Ohio, and West Virginia expected to arrive soon. Republican governors have voiced strong support for the mission.

As part of his crime-fighting agenda, Trump also issued an executive order streamlining firearm permitting for law-abiding D.C. residents. A White House spokeswoman stated the administration is committed to both reducing crime and empowering residents to protect themselves.