After establishing a reputation for cutting back on federal jobs in Washington, D.C., the government is now moving towards, well, the expansion of federal powers.
President Trump announced on Monday that he plans to take control of deploying Washington’s metropolitan police and national guard—this is an unprecedented step that follows just days after a photo of a shirtless, bloodied 19-year-old former employee went viral. He dubbed August 11th as “liberation day,” pledging to tackle violent crime and homelessness in the nation’s capital.
Trump’s critics quickly pointed out that, statistically, violent crimes like shootings and murders have actually declined in the district. And while they do have a point—violent crime is reported to be down 26% this year according to city figures—those numbers are currently under investigation for possible manipulation.
So far this year, there have been 99 homicides in D.C. compared to 112 during the same time frame last year.
But, you know, statistics can only tell part of the story. Having spent the last year of my 15-year tenure in D.C. talking to residents as part of the city’s Gun Violence Prevention Department, I can say that the experiences of residents often feel far more urgent. One man recounted how, during a shooting, a bullet shattered his window while he and his pregnant wife were at home. Another woman worked with her neighbors to call for increased police patrols. Their frustrations highlight that crime isn’t just a broad issue; it’s hyper-local.
I spoke with one activist who has safeguarded a memorial wall for murder victims in his apartment since the ’90s. He mentioned that some kids he coached have preserved photographs of their fathers because they’re the only visuals they have. In fact, over 60% of murders in the city occur in just two of the eight wards—far from places where tourists frequent or upscale shops are located. In August, leaders from one of those districts requested support from the National Guard following spikes in gun violence.
Interestingly, these communities tend to be poorer and predominantly Black, and they seldom figure into larger political discussions about crime. Whether conservative or progressive, the focus often lands on crime and homelessness issues closer to their offices and homes. I guess that’s just human nature, wanting to feel secure in your own neighborhood.
Everyone desires safety—where they live, work, and even where they visit. Yet those living in areas where one murder makes headlines might not grasp how easily a sense of fear can become entrenched amid ongoing violence.
There’s a bit of contradiction on the left as well. They seemed perfectly fine with the FBI’s investigation into a NASCAR garage when there were concerns about hate crimes against driver Bubba Wallace. Yet, over 90% of D.C. murder victims are Black, and this stark racial inequality in violent crime isn’t often acknowledged by the self-identified anti-drug warriors.
There was a time, in 2021, when commentator Roland Martin raised alarms about “International White Terrorism,” but he didn’t address the fact that a significant number of murder victims in cities like D.C., Baltimore, St. Louis, and others are not typically associated with white supremacist groups.
It remains uncertain whether this federal takeover will effectively reduce crime. Conservatives, unhappy with the government’s struggles to address pressing issues, might be overly optimistic about quick fixes. Real change, I think, will require shifts at all levels of government.
At the end of the day, I just hope for a safer environment for everyone in D.C.—residents, workers, and visitors alike. Our capital should reflect a sense of order and security, both nationally and globally. It really needs to feel safe again.
