Is crime in Washington DC 'out of control', as Trump claims?

August 11, 2025

President Donald Trump has announced plans to deploy National Guard troops to Washington DC and take control of its police department, declaring a "crime emergency" in the nation's capital. Mayor Muriel Bowser counters that crime has significantly decreased, with the city experiencing 30-year lows in violent crime rates. Metropolitan Police Department data shows violent crime down 26% in 2025 compared to 2024, while homicides have dropped 12% over the same period.

Who is affected

Washington DC residents and visitors
Young people under 17 subject to a citywide curfew
The Metropolitan Police Department of Washington DC
Congressional staff and government employees (referenced in the article through specific incidents)
National Guard troops who will be deployed to the city

What action is being taken

President Trump is deploying hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington DC
Trump is taking control of Washington DC's police department
A citywide curfew for people under 17 is being enforced from 23:00 to 06:00
The Council on Criminal Justice is analyzing crime rates across major US cities including DC
The Metropolitan Police Department is tracking and reporting declining crime statistics

Why it matters

The federal takeover of a local police department represents a significant intervention in city governance
There's a notable discrepancy between official crime statistics and the President's characterization of crime in the capital
Despite decreases in crime rates, Washington DC's violence levels remain higher than the average across other major US cities
The deployment of National Guard troops to address crime is an unusual approach to urban policing
The situation highlights tensions between federal and local government approaches to public safety

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC