Federal authorities' leaders in Washington D.C. remain tight-lipped regarding President's proposals to deploy federal forces to combat rising crime rates.
In the nation's capital, public concerns about crime and the presence of federal forces have been raised, but key figures in D.C.'s government have not strongly responded. This apparent silence might be attributed to the recent decline in violent crime in Washington D.C. since mid-2023.
The three key figures in D.C.'s government for public safety concerns are Mayor Muriel Bowser, Police Chief Pamela Smith, and Councilmember Brooke Pinto. However, they have been largely silent on the matter, with Mayor Bowser having no public appearances today and Councilmember Pinto not returning calls for comment. The D.C. police (Metropolitan Police Department or MPD) have also remained tight-lipped on the issue.
The decline in crime is evident through decreases in murders, carjackings, aggravated assaults, and gun assaults through mid-2025. Homicides and violent crimes peaked in 2023 and have since steadily declined. For example, murders dropped by 34% from early 2023 to mid-2025, with 2025 numbers comparable to 2019 levels. Carjackings, which surged in 2023, fell sharply with an 87% drop from July 2023 to July 2025.
Independent analyses and fact-checkers have found that claims of unprecedented crime highs in D.C. are inaccurate. Washington's murder rate remains elevated compared to some cities but is substantially down from its 1990s peak and is currently trending downward, aligning with national trends.
Given these verified downward trends, officials may be emphasizing ongoing efforts and data-driven approaches rather than reactive or alarmist responses to federal force deployment concerns. They also may be cautious about politicizing public safety amid conflicting narratives.
Meanwhile, Shatiya Huff, a resident of Washington D.C. who runs a pet-sitting service, is questioning the effectiveness of additional federal forces in D.C. streets. Huff has expressed fear among D.C. residents and concern about the city's response to a wave of juvenile crimes. She wants to know what the real plans are for addressing crime in D.C. and has expressed concern that no one in the mayor's office or the council is responding to inquiries about the city's safety. A source within the MPD stated that the agency is not interested in discussing politics and is focused on keeping the city safe.
As the city continues to grapple with crime and the presence of federal forces, residents like Shatiya Huff are left questioning the city's response and seeking answers from their elected officials.
In light of the ongoing concerns about crime and the presence of federal forces, Shatiya Huff, a Washington D.C. resident, has expressed her doubts about the effectiveness of these forces and worries about the city's response to juvenile crimes. She also questions the lack of response from key figures in D.C.'s government, including Mayor Muriel Bowser, Police Chief Pamela Smith, Councilmember Brooke Pinto, and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), on the matter of crime and safety. Meanwhile, the MPD has stated they are more focused on keeping the city safe rather than engaging in political discussions.
As the city grapples with these issues, Shatiya Huff and other concerned residents seek answers and clear plans from their elected officials for addressing crime and ensuring public safety.
