STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Four arrested in Dupont and Logan Circles by U.S. Park Police

• Charges included public marijuana use and open alcohol containers

• Federal law applies in these parks, overriding D.C. marijuana laws

• One person had an active burglary warrant

• Enforcement linked to Executive Order 14252, signed by Donald Trump

• Viral TikTok video reignites concerns about over-policing in public spaces

A wave of frustration, confusion, and debate has swept through Washington, D.C., following a series of arrests in two of its most well-known public spaces — Dupont Circle and Logan Circle. Though situated at the heart of the nation’s capital, these seemingly open and peaceful parks are now at the center of a legal gray area that few residents fully understood — until now.

On Tuesday, July 22, four individuals were arrested in the two federally managed circles, sparking outrage both on the ground and online. The U.S. Park Police (USPP) confirmed the arrests stemmed from violations involving open containers of alcohol and the public consumption of marijuana — actions that, while not unusual for an urban park setting, take on a different legal tone when federal jurisdiction is involved.

What’s left many residents surprised is not just the enforcement, but the setting. While marijuana possession — up to two ounces — has been legal for adults over 21 in D.C. since 2015, the use of marijuana in public places remains prohibited under both city and federal law. And in the case of Dupont and Logan Circles, federal rules win out.

Social media intensified the spotlight after a video posted by TikTok user “MaiFlower” showed officers emerging from an unmarked vehicle in Dupont Circle, surrounding a seated man, and placing him in handcuffs. The arrest appeared sudden and disorienting for onlookers, many of whom were unaware that such action was still legally permissible in the area.

“These are the three cops, Park Police. I’ve never seen them here before in my life,” the TikTok user commented in the video. Moments later, she added, “We literally live in 1984.”

Another D.C. resident, Q Chaghtai, who happened to be nearby at the time of the incident, recalled what he saw unfold.

“They came up behind this guy who was just sitting there. His back was towards them,” Chaghtai explained. “They began to search his things without much warning. Everyone started watching because it all felt very sudden and jarring.”

According to USPP, three of the four individuals were arrested for possessing open alcohol containers in the public space. The fourth — the man allegedly smoking marijuana — was taken into custody under federal statutes. It was later determined that one of the arrestees also had an outstanding warrant for burglary.

In a statement provided to local outlet 7News, the U.S. Park Police said the arrests were carried out as part of their enforcement of Executive Order 14252, titled “Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful.” Signed by former President Donald Trump, the executive order tasks federal law enforcement agencies with conducting proactive patrols across federally owned land in and around D.C. The USPP stated that these efforts aim to address “ongoing community concerns.”

While the order’s language emphasizes community safety and beautification, some residents are questioning what that looks like in practice — especially when enforcement appears to target individuals in otherwise peaceful settings.

“Increased police presence is not necessarily a negative thing,” said Chaghtai. “But I think when you are targeting citizens who are really minding their own business and kind of just sitting there, I think that’s really alarming.”

The recent arrests come amid growing confusion about overlapping legal jurisdictions in D.C., where local and federal laws often conflict. In 2023 alone, there were 351 marijuana-related arrests in the city — 296 for possession and 55 linked to illegal distribution. However, data on how many were specifically for public consumption remains unavailable.

Moreover, since March 2025, the U.S. Park Police report making 468 arrests across the Washington Metropolitan Area — which includes D.C., Virginia, and Maryland — under the enforcement framework laid out by Executive Order 14252.

For many D.C. residents, the realization that casually smoking marijuana or drinking in parks like Dupont and Logan Circles could lead to arrest has come as a surprise — and a warning. These are public areas used daily by thousands for everything from lunch breaks to protests to moments of quiet relaxation. But the recent arrests suggest that not all areas of the city are governed equally.

As these parks fall under the National Park Service, which operates under federal authority, they are exempt from D.C.’s more progressive marijuana policies. It’s a detail that even long-time residents admit they never fully realized until this week’s incident.

The conversation continues to ripple across the city — and online. Some citizens are defending the need for stricter enforcement to preserve safety and order in public areas. Others are calling for a more transparent and balanced approach, one that doesn’t criminalize behavior that would otherwise be considered minor in nearby non-federal spaces.

For now, one thing remains clear: the divide between federal and local law in Washington, D.C. is not just a technicality — it has very real consequences.