Mayor Muriel Bowser opposed the president's claims, stating there is no current crime spike. She highlighted that violent crime has been reduced to a 30-year low over the past two years, despite a surge in 2023.
Federal Actions and Crime Statistics
Trump signed an order last month easing the process of arresting homeless individuals. Recently, he directed federal law enforcement, including the US Park Police, DEA, FBI, and US Marshals Service, into Washington D.C., to address what he called "totally out of control" crime. Reports indicate that up to 450 federal officers were deployed on Saturday night.
His decision followed an alleged attempted carjacking involving a 19-year-old former employee of the Department of Government Efficiency. Trump shared a photo of the injured victim and reiterated his stance on increasing safety.
Washington, DC's homicide rate remains high per capita, with 98 cases recorded this year. However, federal data shows that overall violent crime last year was the lowest in three decades, including carjacking, assault, and robberies.
Dispute Over Control and Homeless Figures
Mayor Bowser criticised comments likening Washington, DC to Baghdad, calling them exaggerated and false. She also disputed Trump's suggestion of taking over the city's police department, explaining that legal conditions for such an action are not met.
The city, with a population of about 700,000, has approximately 3,782 homeless individuals on any given night. While most are in shelters or public housing, around 800 live on the streets. Trump's earlier proposals in 2022 suggested moving homeless people to "high-quality" tents on low-cost land outside cities, with access to basic facilities and medical care.
