DC Politicians Kept ‘Chopping Away’ at Law Enforcement, Paving Way for Trump Takeover, Former FBI Agent Says
Washington, D.C. has seen a dramatic rise in juvenile crime in recent years, prompting former President Donald Trump to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department. A former FBI special agent has pointed to progressive crime policies as a key factor in this escalation. According to the agent, these policies, which emphasize rehabilitation and reduced sentences for juvenile offenders, have led to a culture of impunity among young criminals. The agent argues that this lack of accountability has resulted in an increase in violent crimes, including robberies and carjackings, with a significant number of perpetrators being minors.
The Comprehensive Youth Justice Amendment Act of 2016 marked a turning point in D.C. youth crime policies. This legislation banned life without parole for juveniles, eliminated mandatory minimums for those tried as adults, and encouraged counseling and victim-offender mediation programs. These measures aimed to reduce the number of minors incarcerated, but critics argue that they failed to curb the rising rates of youth violence. The D.C. Council later updated the Youth Rehabilitation Act in 2018, broadening the definition of a ‘youth offender’ to include individuals up to the age of 24 and granting judges greater discretion in sentencing. These changes have sparked controversy, with some calling for stricter measures to ensure public safety.
Despite these policy shifts, the situation in D.C. has deteriorated. According to recent data, the number of juvenile arrests in the city has increased annually since 2020, with over 2,000 minors arrested in 2023 and 2024 alone. These arrests include a significant proportion of robbery cases, with 51.8% of such incidents involving minors. Similarly, nearly 60% of carjacking suspects in 2025 were juveniles, highlighting the severity of the issue. The New York Post reported that 56% of carjacking suspects in D.C. were under 18 as far back as August 2023, underscoring the persistence of the problem.
Former FBI Special Agent Jonathan Gilliam has argued that these policies have directly contributed to President Trump’s decision to federalize the city’s police department. Gilliam criticized the light sentencing for juvenile offenders, stating that repeat crimes were a direct result of this leniency. He emphasized that the city’s political decisions to weaken law enforcement have exacerbated the problem, making D.C. more dangerous than ever before. Gilliam’s comments have drawn attention from U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, who criticized judicial rulings that allowed violent offenders to avoid prison sentences. Pirro called for a stricter approach to ensure public safety, arguing that leniency in such cases fails to protect communities from violent crime.
The case of Javarry Peaks, a 19-year-old who shot a stranger during a bus ride in March 2024, has become a focal point of the debate. Under the Youth Rehabilitation Act, D.C. Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt suspended Peaks’ prison sentence and instead imposed probation. However, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro expressed strong disapproval of the decision, calling it unjust and endangering public safety. The case highlights the tensions between rehabilitation-focused policies and the need for accountability in cases involving severe violence.
Mayor Muriel Bowser has not commented on the issue, and the D.C. Council has yet to provide a statement. The situation in Washington, D.C. remains a pressing concern, with calls for a more balanced approach to juvenile justice that prioritizes both rehabilitation and accountability, while ensuring the safety of the community.