Trump Aide Claims Washington DC More Violent Than Baghdad Amid Federalization Threat

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller claimed that Washington, D.C., is more violent than Baghdad and other dangerous global locations, echoing President Donald Trump's threats to federalize the city in response to rising crime. This rhetoric follows a high-profile attack on Edward Coristine, a former DOGE employee and Elon Musk protégé, by a gang of youths during a failed carjacking, prompting Trump to call for prosecuting minors as adults and federal intervention. Despite these assertions, crime data from the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department shows violent crime rates have significantly decreased, reaching a 30-year low. Trump's administration has ordered federal law enforcement officers to patrol D.C. streets, signaling a tough stance on crime, while Elon Musk and some commentators support federalizing the city to enhance security. Critics and data sources dispute the severity of the violence claimed by Miller and Trump, highlighting a disconnect between political statements and official crime statistics. The situation underscores a contentious debate over public safety, juvenile justice, and federal versus local control of the capital.