President Donald Trump has declared plans to send National Guard troops to Washington, D.C. to reduce crime in the nation’s capital.
Trump said the federal government will control Washington’s metropolitan police station.
“I am announcing historic actions to save our country’s capital from crime, bloodshed, bedram, squalol, and more,” Trump said. A troop of approximately 800 people will be deployed.
However, crime statistics from the FBI and Washington Metro Police Department show that crime is declining in the capital. The Justice Department said overall violent crime in Washington has fallen 35% since 2023, the lowest in 30 years.
Here’s what we’re saying law enforcement statistics are happening in Washington:
Washington violent crime has fallen
A lot of views of murders in Washington, DC each year
Washington Murder in 2024 was mapped
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How did crime rates change in Washington?
How violent crime has fallen in Washington
Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondy and FBI Director Kash Patel say crime and violence are on the rise in Washington.
However, the Justice Department said in January that overall violent crime has declined compared to 2023.
- murder: Minus 32%
- robbery: Minus 39%
- Armed Carjack: Minus 53%
- Attack with dangerous weapons: Minus 27%
The president also wants homeless people to leave the district. “The homeless have to leave immediately. We will give you a place to stay, but we are far from the capital,” Trump posted in The Society of Truth.
Trump is considering expanding federal crackdowns on crimes in other cities, including New York City, Baltimore, Chicago and Oakland, California. He did not elaborate.
Joey Garrison, Zack Anderson, Tom Vanden Brook, Cybere Maze Osterman, Josh Meyer, Swapna Benugopal Ramaswamy, Sudicsha Kochi
Source USA Today Network Report and Research. Reuters; Crimedata DC; FBI Crime Data Explorer
