Expert Criticizes Democrats’ Crime Statistics as ‘Cherry-Picked’
Jim Agresti, president of the nonprofit research institute Just Facts, has criticized Democrats for using selective crime statistics to downplay the issue of rising violent crime in Washington, D.C. Speaking to Fox News Digital, Agresti argued that the data cited by Democrats is misleading, as it focuses on reported crimes rather than all violent crimes. He emphasized that the FBI explicitly warns against comparing crime data year-to-year due to inconsistent reporting practices.
Agresti pointed out that the murder rate in D.C. is currently 83% higher than its lowest point a dozen years ago, with the city’s murder rate being five times the U.S. average. He also highlighted data showing that the lethality of violent crimes in D.C. has surged by 341% since 2012, with 57 homicides per 1,000 serious violent crimes in 2024. Agresti linked the rise in crime to the ‘Defund the Police’ movement, noting that many people are unaware of the full scope of the problem. He also mentioned the financial cost of crime, estimating it at around $40,000 per U.S. household.
Trump’s administration has responded with a federal crackdown in D.C., deploying National Guard troops and federal law enforcement, which has drawn criticism from Democrats and liberal activists who argue it’s an overreach. Agresti called on politicians to take their responsibility seriously, asserting that the current state of crime is causing significant pain and suffering in the U.S.
Questions have been raised about local crime stats from D.C. showing crime is down so far this year, with many pointing to news reports that a D.C. police commander was recently suspended for allegedly altering crime data. Agresti said anyone can ‘cherry-pick’ crime statistics to promote a specific agenda but that it is important to also realize that many crimes also go unreported due to various factors, including animosity toward police or the belief that calling the police won’t yield results.