Fact Check: Donald Trump has announced a drastic plan to tackle crime in Washington D.C, despite figures reaching a 30-year low.

Fact-Check: "Donald Trump has announced a drastic plan to tackle crime in Washington D.C, despite figures reaching a 30-year low."

What We Know

On August 11, 2025, President Donald Trump announced a plan to take over policing in Washington, D.C., citing a supposed rise in crime as justification for deploying the National Guard and placing local police under federal control. Trump claimed that crime in the capital was "getting worse" and that the murder rate had reached its highest level in 25 years, which he suggested was indicative of a broader public safety crisis (AP News, ABC News).

However, statistics from the Metropolitan Police Department indicate that violent crime in Washington has actually decreased significantly. According to reports, violent crime is down 26% compared to the previous year, and a Department of Justice report noted a 35% decrease in violent crime since 2023, marking the lowest crime rate in 30 years (FactCheck.org, Axios). Mayor Muriel Bowser has publicly stated that the city is not experiencing a spike in crime, contradicting Trump's assertions (AP News, ABC News).

Analysis

Trump's claims about crime rates in Washington, D.C., lack support from credible data. While he asserts that crime is on the rise, the statistics provided by local law enforcement and federal agencies tell a different story. The assertion that murders in 2023 were at their highest level in 25 years is misleading; while 2023 did see an increase in homicides compared to previous years, it was not the highest on record. Historical data shows that homicide rates in the 1990s were significantly higher (AP News, FactCheck.org).

Moreover, Trump's comments regarding the impact of cashless bail on crime rates are not substantiated by evidence. Studies, including one from the Brennan Center for Justice, have found no statistically significant relationship between bail reform and crime rates (AP News). This suggests that Trump's claims may be politically motivated rather than based on empirical evidence.

The sources used in this analysis are generally reliable, including major news organizations and fact-checking entities. However, it is important to note that the political context surrounding Trump's statements may introduce bias, as he has a vested interest in portraying crime in a negative light to support his policy initiatives.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

The claim that Donald Trump has announced a drastic plan to tackle crime in Washington D.C. amid figures reaching a 30-year low is false. Crime statistics from reputable sources indicate a significant decrease in violent crime, contradicting Trump's assertions of a public safety crisis. Furthermore, his claims regarding the murder rate and the effects of cashless bail lack empirical support, suggesting that his statements are exaggerated and misleading.