Trump Addresses Robbery Incident at Cabinet Meeting

During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, President Trump allowed White House correspondents to discuss a recent robbery incident. Since Trump declared a federal operation in Washington, federal law enforcement and the National Guard have been active in the capital, addressing rising crime as the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) faces challenges. NTD White House correspondent Iris Tao spoke with Trump during this meeting.

Tao shared her harrowing experience from over two years ago. “My name is Iris Tao, and I’m a White House correspondent for NTD, which is connected to the Epoch Times. It was a Sunday morning, and as I was heading to work, a young man with a black ski mask pointed a gun at me, demanding my phone, wallet, laptop—everything. When I refused, he hit me before leaving,” she recounted.

“This has been a deeply painful experience for me and my family. Since then, I haven’t felt safe walking in D.C. My family was extremely worried, so I appreciate what you’re doing right now, Mr. President,” Tao continued.

Meanwhile, other incidents have highlighted the escalating violence in the city. Edward Coristine, an employee from the government’s Office of Efficiency (DOGE), was seriously injured while trying to prevent a carjacking in August. Sadly, Eric Tarpinian Yachim, an intern for Republican Rep. Ron Estes, was fatally shot on June 30.

Trump expressed his shock during the meeting, acknowledging how dangerous Tao’s situation was. “It’s incredible that you weren’t shot,” he said, confirming that she had accurately described her ordeal. In response, Tao expressed her gratitude, emphasizing her opportunity to share her story is not just about survival but also about contributing to making D.C. safer.

Reportedly, since Trump initiated his crackdown on crime in the capital, more than 1,000 arrests have been made, and over 100 firearms have been seized.