Week Without Murders in DC Following Federal Action
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in Washington, D.C. reported on Thursday that there have been no murders in the city for over a week. A spokesperson, Michael Russo, communicated via email, “There were no murders recorded last week. Our last recorded murder was on August 13th.”
This drop in violent crime comes in the wake of President Donald Trump federalizing D.C. police on August 11, leading to an increase in the presence of federal law enforcement agencies.
Attorney General Pam Bondy shared on social media that federal authorities made 53 arrests in D.C. on Wednesday, with an additional 24 arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“Our mission to make D.C. safe again continues,” Bondy asserted.
In addition to the arrests, federal law enforcement also confiscated 10 firearms, contributing to broader initiatives aimed at addressing crime, including the recovery of a missing child.
Trump’s decision to involve National Guard troops, and the transformation of D.C. police into a federal entity, has stirred considerable debate among political circles. Since August 11, a total of 630 individuals have been arrested, and 86 illegal weapons have been seized.
The number of arrests on Wednesday was slightly higher than the previous day. Bondy noted that federal law enforcement had apprehended 66 people the day before and collected eight illegal firearms.
FBI Director Kash Patel provided further updates, confirming that in a recent operation, 31 more arrests were made. Charges included illegal possession of firearms, drug offenses, and violent crimes.
Patel stated, “This is a concerted effort among multiple federal partners. They are engaged around the clock to ensure your capital remains safe.”
Supporters of Trump’s actions, including Vice President of Police Joe Gamaldi, emphasized that local officers often felt hindered by city leadership. Gamaldi remarked on a worrying trend of increased homicide rates, noting that they have doubled over the past decade in the city. This surge, he explained, is attributed to entrenched attitudes within the city council that have led to lenient criminal justice policies.
Recent high-profile incidents, such as the violent attack on former Doge employee Edward Coristine, have added urgency to the federal response. Coristine was assaulted while attempting to assist a woman.
Authorities have arrested two teenagers from Maryland in connection to the incident, but further suspects are still being sought.
Before these events unfolded, Eric Tarpinian, a 21-year-old student from the University of Massachusetts, was fatally shot just days after being photographed in D.C. No arrests have been made in his case, which police believe may not have been intended for him.
