Trump’s DC crime crackdown is gaining popularity
Image: Nina Cortez/U.S. Army
Nearly three weeks after President Trump first ordered an increased federal law enforcement presence in Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser has changed her view on the crime crackdown.
Bowser, who earlier this month called federalizing DC's police force an "authoritarian push" by Trump, held a press conference on Wednesday in which she applauded much of the President’s recent actions.
- She cited statistics that show a 15% overall decrease in crime in DC during the 20 days since the federal takeover compared to the same period a year ago.
- This includes a 45% decrease in violent crime as a whole, thanks to major reductions in robberies (-42%), assaults with a deadly weapon (-13%), carjacking (-85%), and car theft (-24%).
Bowser also cautioned that not every tactic has been successful, criticizing both the use of masked ICE agents in DC neighborhoods and the inefficiency of relying on out-of-state National Guard troops.
Many Americans echo her sentiments
Crime is now a relative strength for President Trump, according to an AP-NORC poll published Wednesday, which found 53% of US adults approve of how Trump is handling crime. That’s higher than his overall job approval, as well as approval of how Trump has handled other issues like immigration and the economy.
- The poll also found 66% of Americans think crime is a major problem in the country overall, and 81% say it’s a major problem in large cities.
- On the flip side, far fewer people say crime is a major problem in small towns or rural areas (20%), or in their own community (24%).
There’s also a clear red line for the public. While 55% of Americans think it’s acceptable for the US military and National Guard to assist local police in large cities, only 32% say they support the federal government taking control of major city police departments.
Looking ahead…President Trump has repeatedly suggested he may deploy troops to other major US cities like Chicago or New York City. Legal experts say Trump likely can’t deploy federal troops for law enforcement or take over local police departments—outside of DC—without state approval, or a declared federal emergency.
📊 Flash poll: In general, do you support or oppose President Trump’s handling of crime so far in his second term?
See a 360° view of what pundits are saying →
Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that Trump’s troubling threats to send troops into cities overseen by his political enemies should have more public opposition from Republicans, who have long denounced federal overreach, as well as retired military leaders who have written volumes about the need for a non-politicized military.
- Others contend that Trump and his admin are hypocritical to take credit for a falling crime rate in Washington, D.C. just a few weeks after deploying troops, when it also is casting doubt on other federal data—like jobs figures—for being reported too early to be accurate.
- “Democrats Have Criticized Trump’s National Guard Decisions. Where’s Everyone Else?” –W.J. Hennigan, NY Times
- “Is National Guard the answer to crime in Washington, D.C.?” –Matthew T. Hall, The State
- “My gut instinct on Trump’s D.C. power grab was wrong” –Shadi Hamid, WaPo
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that Trump’s intervention shows real vision and has led to one of the longest homicide-free streaks this year, representing a stark difference from Democratic city leaders who talk tough on crime but fail to get any results.
- Others contend that Trump’s law-and-order offensive is upsetting all the right people—notably, the political left that’s been in near-complete control of large urban areas where high violent crime rates have been tolerated for decades.
- “Trump’s crackdown on crime eliminated intentional fatalities on D.C. streets” –Washington Times Editorial Board
- “Trump’s Crime Crackdown Is a Political Winner” –Jason L. Riley, WSJ
- “Make DC safe again, and the schools great again” –Ken Buck, Washington Examiner
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