Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser made a surprising admission on Wednesday: violent crime in the district has dropped sharply since President Donald Trump’s federal law enforcement takeover earlier this month. Speaking at a press conference, Bowser credited the federal surge for producing a dramatic turnaround in crime trends that plagued the city throughout 2023.
“This is what we think, in just a couple of weeks of experience, has worked: having more federal law enforcement officers on the street,” Bowser said. “We think having more stops that got to illegal guns has helped. We think that there’s more accountability in the system, or at least perceived accountability in the system that is driving down illegal behavior.”
Trump declared a federal emergency in early August, deploying hundreds of federal agents and officers into the capital. Bowser, though initially critical, now acknowledges that the results are undeniable. She highlighted across-the-board reductions in gun crimes, homicides, and robberies, while noting an “extreme reduction” in carjackings.
“The most significant thing that we are highlighting today is the area of crime that was most troubling for us in 2023,” Bowser explained. According to her office, carjackings are down 87 percent compared to the same period last year. “We know that when carjackings go down, when the use of gun goes down, when homicide or robbery go down, neighborhoods feel safer and are safer. So this surge has been important to us.”
Since the federal intervention began, more than 1,000 arrests have been made. Officials report that hundreds of those arrested are illegal immigrants, with some identified as members of violent gangs including MS-13 and Tren de Aragua. Law enforcement has also seized over 100 firearms and dismantled dozens of homeless encampments as part of Trump’s effort to restore order and, in his words, “make the city safe and beautiful.”
Bowser, however, did voice concerns about certain aspects of the federal surge. She pointed specifically to the use of immigration officers in local policing, which she described as “unnecessary” and a “waste of resources.” At the same time, she signaled a willingness to work with the federal government once Trump’s 30-day emergency order expires.
Bowser’s comments mark a rare instance of a Democrat mayor publicly praising President Trump’s law-and-order approach. With crime plummeting under federal oversight, the debate in the capital now shifts to whether the city will maintain this partnership—or revert to its pre-surge status quo once Trump’s order runs out.
Leave a Comment