Fact-check analysisVerified as of August 12, 2025Curated by FactVerify
Misleading

D. C crime is out of control.

While some crime categories in Washington, D.C. Have increased in recent years, overall crime rates, including violent crime, have declined in 2025 compared to previous years, making the claim that D.C. Crime is 'out of control' an oversimplification.

Is DC crime ‘totally out of control,' as Trump said? What the numbers show

Is DC crime ‘totally out of control,' as Trump said? What the numbers show

Source: nbcwashington.com

At a glance

Key Evidence

Verified August 12, 2025
The reporting

What the Evidence Shows

The statement 'D.C. Crime is out of control' is a broad and alarmist claim that does not fully align with the most recent data and expert analyses available as of August 2025. Multiple sources indicate a complex picture:

1. Crime Trends: Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) data for 2025 show that violent crime has dropped by approximately 26% compared to the same period in 2024, and robbery rates have decreased by about 28%.bbc.combbc.comIs crime in Washington really out of control as Trump claims?nbcwashington.comnbcwashington.comIs DC crime ‘totally out of control,' as Trump said? What the numbers show

2. Specific Crime Increases: Certain crimes such as carjackings have seen significant increases over a longer timeframe (e.g., a 547% increase between 2018 and 2023), and some White House communications emphasize that D.C.'s crime rate remains higher than the national average.whitehouse.govwhitehouse.govFACT: D.C. Crime Is Out of Controlwhitehouse.govwhitehouse.govFACT: Yes, D.C. Crime Is Out of Control

3. Political Context: Former President Donald Trump has publicly claimed that crime in D.C. Is out of control and has taken steps such as threatening federal intervention in local policing.washingtonpost.comwashingtonpost.comTrump says crime in D.C. is out of control. Here’s what the data showsnytimes.comnytimes.comTrump Takes Control of D.C. Police, Citing ‘Bloodthirsty Criminals.’ But Crime... However, these claims are contested by local police data and independent analyses.

4. Public Perception vs. Data: While individual incidents can create a perception of lawlessness, statistical evidence points to an overall decline in many major crime categories recently.

In summary, the claim is misleading because it ignores the nuanced reality: some crime types have increased significantly over years, but overall violent crime and robbery are currently trending downward. The phrase 'out of control' suggests an unchecked surge across all categories, which is not supported by current data.

Primary trail

Verified Sources7

Trump says crime in D.C. is out of control. Here’s what the data shows

washingtonpost.com
Open source

FACT: D.C. Crime Is Out of Control

whitehouse.gov
Open source

Is crime in Washington really out of control as Trump claims?

bbc.com
Open source
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