Trump's federal crackdown in D.C. ramps up — despite falling crime
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Crime is trending down in D.C. for the second straight year, even as the White House ramps up federal enforcement — and President Trump portrays the city as dangerously lawless.
Why it matters: Trump's messaging — that D.C. crime is "totally out of control" — is fueling threats of federal takeover, tougher enforcement on federal land, and a spike in arrests for nonviolent offenses.
Driving the news: Trump on Tuesday threatened to federalize D.C. following an alleged unarmed carjacking attempt near Logan Circle and beating of a former DOGE staffer.
- MPD arrested two teens in connection to the carjacking.
- Trump called for minors as young as 14 to be tried as adults in D.C., blaming lax detention laws for violent mayhem.
By the numbers: Crime is down year-to-date compared to 2024, according to MPD's tracker:
- Violent crime: ⬇️ 26%
- All crime: ⬇️ 7%
- Robbery: ⬇️ 29%
- Homicide: ⬇️ 12%
- Aggravated assault: ⬇️ 20%
- Sexual abuse: ⬇️ 48%
Reality check: Though homicides are down, the drop isn't a disappearance. A total of 98 homicides have occurred in D.C. this year — and homicides have been trending higher than a decade ago.
Between the lines: Youth crime remains a hot-button issue. In response, the city launched a new MPD juvenile unit in April, and extended youth curfews this summer.
- They also lengthened pre-trial detention for minors in a 2023 public safety bill.
Zoom in: Metro Transit Police arrests and citations are up 33% through July compared to last year, the Washington Post reports.
- Reported crimes on WMATA property are down 38%.
Meanwhile, nonviolent arrests are spiking under Trump's "D.C. Safe and Beautiful" executive order, which created a multi-agency task force in March to crack down on crime, homeless encampments, and graffiti.
Federal oversight is growing:
- U.S. Park Police increased arrests by 37% during the first half of this year, a White House official told the Post — 806 arrests from January to June, up from 589 in the same period last year.
- That includes misdemeanors like alcohol or marijuana use — more harshly punished on federal land. Nearly 90% of parks are government-controlled in D.C.
Friction point: There's a tug-of-war for credit. The White House is praising itself for falling crime rates.
- An MPD official told the Post it's due to "hard work and dedication" of local cops — not federal intervention.
- Mayor Bowser played Switzerland, saying the federal crackdown lets MPD focus on driving down neighborhood crime.
What we're watching: Whether the federal crackdown escalates now that crime has hit close to home at 1600 Pennsylvania.
- D.C.'s new U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro relayed a message from Trump outside the White House Tuesday: We will "fight crime with a vengeance and also make sure there're consequences. ... If you don't buy into it, you're going to have to deal with us."