Violent Crime, Homelessness, and Fentanyl in DC: What to Know

WASHINGTON—After multiple high-profile violent crimes in Washington, President Donald Trump has taken over D.C.’s police department and activated its National Guard. At an Aug. 11 press conference, Trump said he would “rescue our nation’s capital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam, and squalor,” declaring a public safety emergency. The president’s comments and actions have sparked debate about the scope of violent crime and homelessness in the district, which included an assault on a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer that left him bloodied on the street. Meanwhile, falling violent crime numbers in a district known for its high homicide rate come alongside skepticism from the police union. They allege that numbers are being manipulated to make the picture look rosier....