President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that journalists who overlook the increasing crime rates in Washington, D.C., might want to consider accompanying police officers to understand the situation better. Citing data from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), he pointed out that violent crime had reportedly decreased, although this is contradicted by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) figures indicating a significant rise since 2024. Trump invited journalists to join MPD officers to see firsthand the extent of the crime issue in the city.
“If it’s fine by me, I want to do it. We’re going to cooperate with D.C. police,” Trump mentioned. He praised the police force, noting that it consisted of around 3,500 officers, and acknowledged the challenges Mayor Muriel Bowser faces. Trump pointed out that crime numbers have hit new highs, despite the mayor’s long tenure and efforts. He expressed that statistics shouldn’t be ignored, even if they are presented in charts.
However, the MPD’s statistics may not fully reflect the reality of violent crimes, as they do not account for more serious felony assaults, which might skew the perception of declining crime rates. While the FBI reported a 10% drop in violent crime since 2024, Washington’s numbers have reportedly exceeded pre-pandemic levels.
In May, an internal investigation was launched after some police commanders were suspended for allegedly manipulating crime data to show a decrease. The Washington Police Union has accused the MPD of falsifying statistics to enhance these claims about reduced violence.
According to research from the Rochester Institute of Technology, Washington’s murder rate in 2024 was the fourth highest across the United States, ranking higher than cities like New York, Chicago, and Atlanta.
Recently, nearly 850 officers were involved in apprehending 23 individuals linked to murder, firearm, and drug-related offenses, as reported by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Additionally, six illegal firearms were confiscated during the arrests. The administration has intensified its responses following several violent incidents, including the shooting of Congressional intern Eric Tarpinian Yachim and another violent crime involving a member of the community known as “big ball.”
In response to these developments, Mayor Bowser announced on Monday that the city would seek national attention due to the situation.
