Trump's Assertions Concerning the 'Perilous' Nature of Washington D.C. - A Fact-Check Analysis
In a surprising turn of events, recent data reveals that crime in Washington, DC is actually on a downward trend, contrary to President Trump's claims that violent crime is rising sharply in the city.
The latest comprehensive police and independent law enforcement data show a clear decrease in crime overall. Violent crime rates in DC hit a 30-year low in 2024 and have continued to fall in 2025, with violent crime down 26% compared to the first half of 2024 and homicides down 12% year-over-year so far in 2025.
Key supporting data includes a 26% decrease in violent crime in early 2025 compared to 2024, a 37% drop in carjackings, and significant declines in aggravated assault rates and gun assaults since their peaks in 2021 and 2023. Property crimes and other violent crimes such as robbery and assault with a weapon have also declined in 2025 versus 2024.
While some official White House statements portray DC's crime as "out of control" and highlight the city’s historically high homicide rate relative to other major cities, the most recent data paint a different picture. Trump’s remarks, including declaring a "crime emergency" and deploying the National Guard, contrast with these data trends and have been fact-checked as overstated or inaccurate in claiming crime is surging.
Last week, Trump ordered a heightened federal law enforcement presence in Washington, DC, citing the need to restore order. However, the decline in crime in Washington, DC has been reported by Newsweek and the US Attorney's Office, among others.
In August, an FBI report was released, which revealed a significant drop in assaults, homicides, kidnappings, abductions, and sex offences in Washington, D.C. Crimes like homicides, robberies, armed carjackings, and assaults with a dangerous weapon have all declined in Washington, DC. Assault with dangerous weapons dropped by 20 per cent in Washington, D.C., and robbery decreased by 28 per cent.
In 2024, Washington, D.C. recorded 22,320 crimes against persons, with assaults making up the vast majority at 21,437 cases. Despite Trump's claims, official data shows that violent crime in Washington, DC reached a 30-year low in 2024. Homicides in Washington, D.C. declined by 12 per cent.
While sex offenses, homicides, and kidnappings were less common, they were still present in the district's crime statistics. Carjackings in Washington, D.C. fell by 37 percent this year, according to the police data.
In conclusion, the latest authoritative crime data for Washington, DC show violent crime is decreasing significantly in 2025, disproving claims by President Trump that crime is currently rising sharply in the city. Trump's claims about high crime rates in Washington, DC do not align with the official data.
- Despite President Trump's claims, the most recent data from 2025 indicates a significant decrease in violent crime in Washington, DC, contrary to his assertions of a sharp rise.
- The latest comprehensive crime data for Washington, DC in 2025 reveals a 26% drop in violent crime, 37% less carjackings, and significant declines in aggravated assault rates and gun assaults, contradicting Trump's statements.
- In contradiction to Trump's portrayal of Washington, DC's crime as "out of control," the FBI report released in August and other sources such as Newsweek and the US Attorney's Office, report a decline in crimes like homicides, robberies, armed carjackings, assaults with a dangerous weapon, and assaults overall in Washington, DC.
