President Trump Says People Behind PHONY D.C. Crime Statistics Are Now Under INVESTIGATION

President Trump has claimed that the crime statistics released by the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., are false and misleading—referring to them as “phony crime stats.” He went further, saying the individuals responsible for these figures are now “under investigation.” This remark came as part of his broader justification for imposing federal control over D.C.’s police force and deploying National Guard troops in the city.

Trump’s contention contrasts sharply with official data showing a significant and sustained decline in violent crime. DOJ numbers confirm that violent crime in 2024 dropped by 35%, reaching its lowest level in over 30 years. Additionally, as of mid-2025, both homicides and violent incidents continue their downward trajectory.

At a White House press briefing, Trump asserted that crime was “out of control” in the capital and insisted his administration would prepare its own crime report if needed. He tied these claims to reasons for asserting federal oversight over the D.C. police.

Fact-checkers from outlets such as PBS NewsHour, PolitiFact, and others have labeled Trump’s claims as exaggerated or false. They note that the data he relies on is outdated and that actual crime rates—especially homicides—have fallen; for instance, the 2023 murder rate, while elevated compared to the previous two decades, was nowhere near the highest ever recorded in the city’s history.

Still, Trump’s claims have been amplified in conservative media and supported by some local law enforcement voices who question the accuracy of published D.C. crime stats. These tensions continue as the administration imposes aggressive federal measures in the city—including new juvenile curfews, sweeps of homeless encampments, and allegations of data manipulation by police.