The United States Department of Justice is reportedly investigating whether officials in Washington, D.C., manipulated crime statistics, following allegations by President Donald Trump that the capital city fabricated data to create a 'false illusion of safety'. The investigation targets the Metropolitan Police Department amid a broader federal takeover of the city's policing.
In a series of posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused D.C. officials of distorting crime numbers to undermine his administration's authority. He claimed the city was 'the most unsafe in the United States, and perhaps the World' before his intervention, but now 'in just a short period of time, it is perhaps the safest'. The White House has cited a local probe into suspended police commander Michael Pulliam over 'questionable' changes to crime data.
The investigation is being led by the office of recently confirmed U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, a former Fox News host. However, available data contradicts the administration's narrative: violent crime in D.C. hit a 30-year low in 2024, and reports of violent crime fell by 27% in the first seven months of 2025 compared to the same period last year. Homicides have also dropped by 11%.
A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment on the probe, stating the agency does not confirm or discuss ongoing investigations. The development comes as Trump has deployed National Guard troops and federal law enforcement to the city, declaring a 'crime emergency' to justify the takeover of local policing.
