Trump Downplays Domestic Violence Amid Washington Crime Debate

President Donald Trump, during a speech at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., downplayed domestic violence by suggesting that conflicts "that take place in the home" should not be counted as crimes, claiming that such incidents unfairly diminish the reported reduction in crime rates. He asserted without evidence that crime in Washington, D.C., had dropped by more than 87% and described the city as "safe," despite ongoing violent crimes including homicides, assaults, and thefts. Trump's remarks drew sharp criticism and overshadowed his announcement on protecting religious liberty in public schools, igniting debate over his handling and rhetoric on sensitive social issues like domestic violence. The president's administration has also faced scrutiny for restricting federal funding to nonprofits addressing domestic violence and laying off key personnel in that area, raising concerns about the destabilization of prevention and support services. These comments risk alienating voters who view domestic abuse as a serious public health and safety crisis, particularly women's advocacy groups. The controversy highlights tensions between Trump's law-and-order narrative and the realities of crime and domestic violence in the capital.