President Donald Trump recently issued a strong warning to Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, threatening a federal takeover of the city if she does not address what he calls misleading crime statistics. This statement came early Friday morning via a post on Truth Social, where Trump praised the National Guard and local police for their efforts to curb violent crime in the capital.
Trump highlighted that D.C. had gone over a week without a murder, a claim confirmed by the Metropolitan Police Department. He expressed optimism about the city’s safety, stating, “Washington, D.C. is SAFE AGAIN!” He noted the increased presence of law enforcement and the National Guard patrolling the streets.
However, Trump took issue with the way crime data is reported in the city. He accused Mayor Bowser of providing “false and highly inaccurate crime figures.” He warned that if these issues are not addressed, it could lead to serious consequences, including a complete federal takeover of D.C. operations. “Washington D.C. will soon be great again!!!” he declared.
The D.C. Police Union, representing 3,000 officers, has raised concerns about the accuracy of the crime statistics. Union President Gregg Pemberton acknowledged that crime may have decreased but described the official claims as “preposterous.” He emphasized that officers on the ground are experiencing a different reality, dealing with various crimes nightly across the city.
This week, the Department of Justice (DOJ) began investigating whether D.C. police officials manipulated crime statistics. The scrutiny follows allegations against a police commander, who was placed on leave for allegedly altering data. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro is leading the investigation, which may involve multiple police officials.
Earlier in the week, Trump announced plans to “make D.C. safe again” and took control of the Metropolitan Police Department, appointing Drug Enforcement Administration head Terry Cole as the emergency police commissioner. However, a federal judge later blocked the DOJ from fully taking over the police department. The DOJ reached an agreement allowing local officials to remain in charge, while Cole would oversee police services as directed by the attorney general.
On Thursday evening, Trump visited National Guard troops and federal agents on patrol, bringing them food and expressing gratitude for their service. He told them, “You people are winners,” reinforcing his commitment to making D.C. and the country great again.
