WASHINGTON, Aug 11 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump has spent days escalating his rhetoric on crime in Washington, calling the U.S. capital “totally out of control” and ordering a federal law enforcement surge ahead of a Monday press conference to outline a sweeping crackdown.
On Sunday, Trump wrote on Truth Social, “The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY. We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital. The Criminals, you don’t have to move out. We’re going to put you in jail where you belong.”
The Democratic mayor of Washington, Muriel Bowser, pushed back on Trump’s claims, saying the city is “not experiencing a crime spike” and highlighting that violent crime has fallen to a 30-year low. Trump called Bowser “a good person who has tried” but said she’s been given many chances while crime numbers continue to worsen.
Violent crime fell 26% in the first seven months of 2025 and overall crime dropped 7%, according to the city’s police department. But gun violence remains an issue. In 2023, Washington had the third-highest gun homicide rate among U.S. cities with populations over 500,000, according to gun control advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety.
Over the past week, Trump has intensified his messaging, demanding the swift eviction of homeless residents and vowing to jail offenders. He has raised the prospect of stripping the city of its local autonomy and signaled a possible full federal takeover.
