Federal authorities assume control of Washington D.C. police force, with National Guard deployment potentially imminent, as declared by Trump.
In a surprising turn of events, the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington D.C. has seen a significant decline in violent crime over the past two years. This contradicts the portrayal of the city's crime situation by President Donald Trump.
According to the latest crime data, violent crime in D.C. hit a 30-year low in 2024, down 35% from the 2023 peak. In the first half of 2025, violent crimes decreased by 26% compared to 2024. Homicides have also declined by 12% year-over-year so far in 2025. Carjackings, which Trump claimed "tripled," are actually down 37% this year.
| Aspect | Trump's Characterization | Current Crime Data (2024-2025) | |----------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------| | Violent crime trend | Rising, "out of control" | Declining sharply since 2023, 30-year low in 2024 | | Homicide rate | Highest ever in 2023, very high overall | 12% decrease in 2025 vs. 2024, trending down | | Carjackings | Tripled | Down 37% in 2025 | | Overall crime rate claim | Very high, worse than many major cities | Still higher than average but improving |
Trump's claims, however, cite older or selective data. He emphasizes the 2023 homicide rate as the highest "probably ever," while ignoring the recent downward trend and improvement in crime statistics. He also described D.C. as having the fourth-highest homicide rate nationally and emphasized high violent crime figures from previous years, including the 27.3 homicides per 100,000 residents in 2024, which is a substantial increase from 2012 but does not reflect the recent drop in crime rates.
The Trump administration's crime crackdown in D.C. involves the deployment of several hundred D.C. National Guard troops, who may lack arrest authority but are expected to support local law enforcement. The FBI agents, primarily investigators, would provide additional security while other law enforcement conducts street-level operations.
The president's announcement to take federal control of the Metropolitan Police Department came after posting on Truth Social that Washington would be "LIBERATED today!". This move marks an escalation in Trump's confrontational approach to D.C. governance, with the president repeatedly criticizing city officials over crime rates.
However, the federal takeover contradicts the recent crime statistics, with the city seeing a significant decline in violent crime and homicides. The Trump administration's plans also include moving the homeless population "far" from Washington ahead of the crime crackdown.
Meanwhile, Russia cautiously welcomes the Armenia-Azerbaijan deal, while Iran rejects the 'Trump Route' corridor. The U.S. President, Donald Trump, announced the federal control of Washington D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department, a move that gives him broad authority to deploy troops in the district as the city's mayor lacks control over the National Guard. The Trump administration did not provide specific details about the 'Trump Route' corridor.
References: [1] Metropolitan Police Department data [2] The Washington Post [3] The New York Times
Read also:
- Court petitions to reverse established decision on same-sex marriage legalization
- Commemoration of 200 Days of American Resurgence Unveiled
- Minister Bärbel Bas expresses doubts about her tenure as a minister following a recent interview during the summer.
- Politicians from both Republican and Democratic parties are urging President Trump to maintain the security agreement with Australia and the United Kingdom.
