Trump Threatens D.C. Mayor: Fix Crime Stats Or Face ‘Total Federal Takeover’
President Donald Trump issued a stark warning early Friday to Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, threatening a “complete and total” federal takeover of the city if she fails to correct what he called “false and highly inaccurate crime figures.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised the National Guard and local law enforcement for restoring order to the capital and said the city had gone more than a week without a homicide — a claim confirmed by the Metropolitan Police Department.
“Washington, D.C. is SAFE AGAIN! The crowds are coming back, the spirit is high, and our D.C. National Guard and Police are doing a fantastic job. They are out in force, and are NOT PLAYING GAMES!!!” Trump wrote.
He then turned his attention to the city’s leadership. “Mayor Muriel Bowser must immediately stop giving false and highly inaccurate crime figures, or bad things will happen, including a complete and total Federal takeover of the City!” he added. “Washington D.C. will soon be great again!!!”
The D.C. Police Union, representing 3,000 officers, has echoed concerns over the accuracy of the city’s crime data. Union President Gregg Pemberton told NBC News that while statistics may show a decline, the situation on the ground tells a different story. “We go call to call to call out on the streets at night, going from robbery to carjacking to stabbing to shooting… crime is ubiquitous, and it’s all in every quadrant of the city,” he said.
Earlier this week, the Department of Justice opened an investigation into whether police officials manipulated crime data. According to The Washington Post, D.C. Police Commander Michael Pulliam was placed on leave over allegations of data tampering, which he has denied. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro is leading the DOJ’s investigation.
Last week, Attorney General Pam Bondi and the DOJ assumed operational control over the Metropolitan Police Department and installed DEA Director Terry Cole as emergency police commissioner. A federal judge temporarily blocked a full federal takeover, leading to a compromise in which local officials retain nominal authority, but Cole has directive power over police operations as deemed necessary by the attorney general.
On Thursday evening, Trump joined National Guard units and federal agents on patrol through the city, bringing them food and expressing support. “You people are winners, and it’s such an honor to be with you,” he told them. “We’re going to make Washington, D.C., great again. We’re making the country great again.”