Last year marked the lowest level of violent crime in Washington, D.C., in more than 30 years, but President Donald Trump has raised concerns about public safety in the city, teasing a plan that would also target its homeless population.
“I’m going to make our Capital safer and more beautiful than it ever was before,” Trump said on Truth Social on Aug. 10. “The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY. We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital.”
In a series of social media posts, Trump said he would unveil his initiative on Aug. 11, adding it would address the city’s crime and the “Cleanliness and the General Physical Renovation and Condition of our once beautiful and well maintained Capital.”
The president threatened to “take Federal control” of Washington, D.C., in an Aug. 5 post complaining about crime. The post came after Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old former employee of the Department of Government Efficiency nicknamed “BigBalls,” was assaulted in an attempted carjacking.
“Crime in Washington, D.C., is totally out of control,” Trump said on Aug. 5, adding: “If this continues, I am going to exert my powers, and FEDERALIZE this City.”
Days later, Trump ordered an increased federal law enforcement presence on D.C. streets, led by officers from U.S. Park Police and including officers from about a dozen other agencies.
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Violent crime declined by 35% in D.C. in 2024, according to data compiled by the D.C. Metropolitan Police. The 2024 numbers marked the lowest level of violent crime in “over 30 years,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia said in a news release.
Homicides dropped by 32%, robberies were down 39% and armed carjackings were down 53%.
Violent crime has declined so far in 2025, according to police data. Homicides and robberies are down 12% and 28%, respectively, while total violent crime is down 26% through Aug. 8 when compared with the same period in 2024.
Homicides spiked in D.C. in 2023 to 274, up from 203 the year before, before dropping down to 187 in 2024, according to police data. That is the lowest level since the city had 166 homicides in 2019. There have been 99 homicides in 2025, compared to 112 during the same period last year.
Trump has long denigrated Washington, D.C, which leans heavily Democratic. He also floated taking over governance of the district in February in comments to reporters, complaining about crime and homelessness.
Jinnah Khlan, a homeless man who lives blocks from the White House, stands next to his tent at Virginia Avenue in Washington, D.C., in April 2021.
Contributing: Joey Garrison, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump teases DC crime initiative, orders homeless to move out ASAP