Trump Federalizes D.C. Police Amid Record Crime Declines, Homelessness Crackdown

President Donald Trump has declared a 30-day federal crime emergency in Washington, D.C., deploying military troops and federal officers despite data showing the city is experiencing a 30-year low in violent crime. Trump described parts of the city as "slums" and a "hellhole," sparking criticism from local advocates who argue his rhetoric unfairly targets majority Black neighborhoods and stigmatizes residents. While Trump claims the crackdown has made the city safer, officials in D.C. and other Black-led cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, and Baltimore report significant reductions in violent crime due to community-based initiatives and investments in violence prevention. The Trump administration's actions have also focused on dismantling homeless encampments, despite D.C. being one of the few places in the U.S. where homelessness has decreased since 2019. Critics, including the Congressional Black Caucus, warn that militarized policing and federal intervention risk increasing fear and mistrust among minority communities rather than addressing root causes of crime and homelessness. The crackdown has drawn accusations of racial bias and political motives, with local leaders emphasizing the importance of local solutions over federal overreach.