Trump’s Crime Crackdown in Washington D.C.
President Donald Trump is kicking off a major initiative to tackle crime in Washington, D.C., and one local store owner is hoping for a positive change.
During a recent appearance on America Reports, convenience store owners Sajib Uddula and Tamika Alston expressed their worries about crime in the capital. Uddula shared a troubling account of his store being targeted by a large group of young boys, describing it as quite shocking.
“There were a lot of kids, maybe 10 to 20. I think it was even more than that,” Uddula recalled. “They came in, and it was like they weren’t even here to talk.”
Alston added that the same group returned the day after the incident, threatening to rob the store again. “They came back yesterday and said they were going to do it again,” she said. “Honestly, I’m not sure what we’re supposed to do now.”
Despite feeling anxious, the store owners remain somewhat optimistic that Trump’s intervention and the planned deployment of the National Guard might help improve safety in the area. “I hope things really change for the better,” Uddula remarked.
On Monday, Trump announced at a press conference plans to send in members of the Washington, D.C. State Guard, highlighting the city’s high murder rate, despite a reported 30% drop in crime since 2023.
The Justice Department noted a “32% drop” in murders in D.C., which prompted Alston to question the accuracy of that claim. “From when? Ask the police how many 9-1-1 calls they get every day here,” she responded when questioned about crime rates.
Alston expressed a need for more recreational spaces and after-school programs for kids to help curb juvenile crime. “I think the kids need accountability. Lock them up. Sometimes their parents just can’t handle them,” she stated. Uddula agreed, suggesting that if parents can’t manage their kids, the government should step in.
Trump’s authority under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act allows him to take control of the Metropolitan Police Department for a limited time, though he hinted at finding ways to extend that control beyond the initial period.
“This is about all types of crime… We’ll support you, as Trump said,” Uddula concluded.
