Hillary Clinton slams Trump for declaring ‘public safety emergency’ in DC despite violent crime being at 30-year low
Donald Trump announced that he’s taking control of Washington, D.C.’s police department and sending in the National Guard, saying it’s to make the city safer. He promised to crack down on both homelessness and crime, calling this a “liberation” of the capital and vowing to end what he described as the killing or harming of innocent people. He even claimed that D.C. performs worse on safety than the capitals of countries like Iraq, Brazil, and Colombia.
But his decision comes at a time when violent crime in the city is actually at its lowest level in more than 30 years. According to official data from the Metropolitan Police Department, violent crime in 2024 dropped 35% compared to 2023, with major decreases in homicides, robberies, and armed carjackings. Officials credit these results to targeted law enforcement operations against gangs and organized crime.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton quickly criticized Trump’s move, calling it “unhinged” and pointing out the sharp drop in crime rates. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser also pushed back, saying that while the city had a crime spike in 2023, the past two years have seen a steady decline.
Despite this, Trump is moving forward with his plan to put local police under federal control and place National Guard troops on the streets. Critics see this as unnecessary and possibly dangerous, while supporters argue it’s a strong show of force to keep the capital secure.
