Investigation launched by Trump's Justice Department over alleged manipulation of crime statistics by DC law enforcement officials
In the heart of Washington D.C., an investigation is unfolding amid a tense standoff between the Trump administration and the city over control of the police department. The investigation centres on federal violations related to the falsification of official statistics and obstruction of justice, triggered by whistleblower revelations and official disciplinary actions that uncovered a pattern of data manipulation within the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The timeline of key events began in May 2025 when Third District Commander Michael Pulliam was placed on administrative leave after allegations emerged that he altered crime reports. Prior to August 2025, the MPD entered a settlement related to allegations that senior officials falsified crime statistics to artificially lower reported crime rates, indicating a practice that is neither isolated nor recent.
The investigation gained momentum in August 2025, with the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform launching an official federal investigation following whistleblower disclosures of widespread manipulation directed by senior MPD leadership. The investigation requests documentation and interviews from all seven District Commanders, focusing on how crime data was manipulated across the seven patrol districts.
Within days of the House probe, the Department of Justice announced an additional federal inquiry, indicating escalating federal scrutiny. Media reports and union statements have corroborated claims that police supervisors manipulated statistics to give the false impression of declining violent crime.
Ed Martin, Trump's first pick to lead the U.S. Attorney's office in Washington, claimed that Washington's violent crime had decreased in the first 100 days since Trump returned to the White House in January. However, his assertions have been met with scepticism, with some accusing him of exaggerating or misstating facts about public safety in Washington, where crime rates have been decreasing.
Mayor Muriel Bowser's office declined to comment on the investigation, while the U.S. Attorney Jeannine Pirro's office did not respond to emails seeking comment. Bowser did, however, state that the investigation does not implicate many cases.
The New York Times was the first to report on the investigation, with the Associated Press later contributing to the story. The investigation into potential falsification of crime data by Washington, D.C. police officials is nearing completion.
In his April 28 news release, Ed Martin asserted that strong enforcement and smart policies can make communities safer. According to Martin's release, MPD data showed that violent crime had dropped by 25 percent since the start of 2025. However, the validity of these statistics is now under question as the investigation continues.
The investigation comes amid a showdown between the Trump administration and the city over control of the police department. President Trump ordered a federal takeover of the city's police department and deployed hundreds of National Guard members. Mayor Bowser stated that the city's police chief had concerns about one commander and investigated all seven districts, confirming the concern was with one person.
As the investigation reaches its conclusion, the truth about the manipulation of crime data in Washington D.C. is set to be revealed, potentially reshaping perceptions about public safety in the city.
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