The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation into allegations that the Washington, D.C., police department manipulated crime data to present more favorable statistics, according to sources who spoke to Fox News. The probe follows President Donald Trump’s public accusations that crime data from the nation’s capital was altered to depict violence as declining. Trump recently accused the city of using ‘Fake Crime numbers’ to create an illusion of safety, claiming the data was manipulated to show D.C. as safer than it actually was. His comments came just weeks after he federalized the Metropolitan Police Department under Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, granting him emergency control over the city’s police force for 30 days.
The federalization was a response to persistent crime in the region, particularly since 2020, which saw a sharp rise in homicides. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers, have dismissed Trump’s claims, arguing that violent crime in the district has been trending downward and that there was no justification for federal intervention. Democratic leaders and local residents have condemned Trump’s decision to federalize the police department, asserting that recent violent crime rates have decreased and that there was no need for National Guard deployment. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., stated that ‘violent crime in Washington, D.C. is at a 30-year low’ and that Trump ‘has no basis to take over the local police department.’ Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton echoed these sentiments, tweeting that ‘violent crime in DC is at a 30-year low.’
However, the data released by the Metropolitan Police Department indicates that while violent crime rates have decreased, the lethality of such crimes has reached alarming levels. A study published in July by the Council on Criminal Justice found that the risk of death during an aggravated assault or robbery in D.C. has increased significantly. The study reported that D.C. had the highest rate of lethality among 17 cities analyzed between 2018 and 2024, with a 38% increase in lethality compared to 2018. This suggests that while fewer people are being murdered, the danger faced by those who commit violent crimes has escalated dramatically. The discrepancy highlights the complexity of interpreting crime statistics and underscores the need for transparent data practices to maintain public trust.
The investigation into the alleged manipulation of crime data comes amidst a broader political and legal debate over the role of federal versus local authorities in addressing crime. Trump’s claims of data falsification have been widely criticized by experts and officials, who argue that such accusations lack empirical evidence and may be politically motivated. Meanwhile, the D.C. Police Union has raised concerns about potential data manipulation, with Union Chairman Gregg Pemberton alleging that officers were instructed to report lesser offenses instead of more serious crimes. These claims have sparked a public debate over the accuracy of crime statistics and the integrity of law enforcement practices in the nation’s capital.
As the DOJ investigation continues, the situation remains a focal point of political tension. The controversy has divided public opinion and intensified debates on crime policy, federal intervention, and the reliability of crime data. The outcome of this inquiry could have significant implications for legal and political discourse, shaping the future of law enforcement and public safety in D.C. The ongoing debates reflect broader concerns about transparency, accountability, and the balance of power between federal and local authorities in addressing societal challenges.