Has crime in Washington fallen two weeks on from Trump's crackdown?

August 27, 2025

President Trump's administration has taken over Washington DC's police department and deployed National Guard troops, FBI, and ICE agents in response to what he calls a "crime emergency. " Official data from the Metropolitan Police Department shows a 23% decrease in violent crime and about 25% drop in property crimes in the two weeks following the August 11 crackdown compared to the previous two weeks. The federal intervention has resulted in over 1,000 arrests, with nearly half reportedly being undocumented immigrants, though the District Court is now struggling to process the increased caseload of federal prosecutions.

Who is affected

Washington DC residents and visitors
Individuals arrested during the crackdown, who now face federal charges instead of local ones
Defendants being held in detention longer than normal
DC's criminal justice system, including courts struggling with increased caseload
Undocumented immigrants (reportedly comprising nearly half of those arrested)
Passengers at Union Station and other public areas witnessing military presence

What action is being taken

National Guard troops, FBI, and ICE agents are patrolling Washington DC streets
The federal government has taken over DC's police department
Over 1,000 arrests have been made since August 11, with 88% leading to charges
The Pentagon has sent 20 military lawyers to assist with prosecutions
Judge Faruqui is raising concerns about detention conditions and processing delays

Why it matters

The federal takeover represents a significant shift in how crime is being addressed in the nation's capital, with local offenses now being prosecuted as federal crimes that carry longer sentences. The increased presence of military and federal agents in Washington DC creates a visible symbol of the administration's approach to crime enforcement. While crime statistics show decreases, criminologists caution against using arrest numbers as a measure of success, and the court system is struggling to handle the surge in cases, raising concerns about defendants' rights and detention conditions.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC