Washington, D.C., recorded its lowest level of violent crime in more than three decades in 2024, yet former President Donald Trump is raising alarms about public safety in the capital and hinting at sweeping measures that would also target the city’s homeless population.
In an Aug. 10 post on Truth Social, Trump pledged to make the capital “safer and more beautiful than it ever was before,” declaring, “The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY. We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital.” He announced plans to unveil his initiative on Aug. 11, saying it would address crime, cleanliness, and what he described as the “physical renovation” of Washington.
Trump has repeatedly criticized the city’s leadership and public safety record, despite official data showing major improvements. On Aug. 5, following the attempted carjacking and assault of a 19-year-old former Department of Government Efficiency employee, he threatened to “take Federal control” of Washington if crime persisted. Days later, he ordered an increased federal law enforcement presence, deploying U.S. Park Police along with officers from roughly a dozen other federal agencies.
According to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, violent crime fell 35% in 2024, reaching its lowest point in over 30 years. Homicides declined by 32%, robberies by 39%, and armed carjackings by 53% compared to the previous year. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia highlighted the figures in a recent statement, calling the drop “historic.”
The downward trend has continued into 2025. As of Aug. 8, homicides are down 12% year-over-year, robberies are down 28%, and overall violent crime is down 26%. The city recorded 187 homicides in 2024, a sharp drop from 274 in 2023, and the lowest total since 2019. This year, 99 homicides have been reported so far, compared with 112 during the same period last year.
Despite the progress, Trump — a frequent critic of the overwhelmingly Democratic city — has signaled he may push for federal intervention, repeating similar suggestions made earlier this year. His upcoming plan is expected to combine crime-reduction measures with a controversial approach to relocating the homeless away from the city’s core.
