President Donald Trump announced on Saturday a press conference scheduled for Monday at the White House, where he intends to reveal a plan to “essentially, stop violent crime” in Washington, D.C. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that the nation’s capital has become “one of the most dangerous cities anywhere in the World” but will “soon be one of the safest.”
This announcement follows an increased presence of federal law enforcement agencies in the city, including the FBI, U.S. Park Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The Justice Department has confirmed that these agencies have been active, leading to a rise in arrests and the seizure of illegal firearms and drugs. The White House has also recently ordered a seven-day crackdown on violent crime, with the option to extend it as needed.
Monday’s press conference is expected to outline the administration’s strategies to address crime in the capital and detail new plans to enhance public safety in coordination with local law enforcement.
Trump’s statements about Washington, D.C., being one of the most dangerous cities in the world contrast with recent data from the Metropolitan Police Department. According to their statistics, violent crime in the city fell by 35 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year, reaching its lowest level in over 30 years. Homicides dropped by 32 percent, robberies by 39 percent, and assaults with a weapon by 27 percent. However, the city still recorded 190 homicides in 2024, a number that remains one of the highest in the country. Data from the Metropolitan Police Department as of August 8, 2025, shows that violent crime has continued to decrease this year, down 26% year-over-year.
The increased federal focus on crime in Washington, D.C. comes in the wake of several high-profile violent incidents. On May 21, 2025, two staff members of the Israeli Embassy were fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum. The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, was arrested at the scene and later charged with multiple offenses, including murder of a foreign official and hate crimes. More recently, on July 4, 2025, Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a 21-year-old intern for Representative Ron Estes (R-KS), was killed in a drive-by shooting in Northeast D.C. He is believed to have been an unintended bystander.