Pam Bondi Claims DC Residents Thank Federalized Police Amid Conflicting Data

Attorney General Pam Bondi claimed that Washington, D.C. residents are whispering their thanks to federalized law enforcement officers, expressing relief and safety due to increased police presence following President Donald Trump's decision to federalize the city's police and deploy National Guard troops. Bondi cited reports from officers and recounted President Trump's remarks that neighborhoods feel safer and that local restaurants have seen a surge in diners after years of decline. However, these claims have been met with skepticism and criticism, particularly from Democrats and left-wing voices, who highlight official statistics showing a significant drop in crime rates in the city, contradicting the President's assertions of rising crime. Data from OpenTable also contradicts Trump's statement about increased restaurant patronage, revealing a sharp decline in seated diners since the federalization of law enforcement. Critics accuse Bondi of misleading the public by portraying the federalized police presence as widely welcomed despite evidence of public and official pushback. The deployment of approximately 800 National Guard members and hundreds of other federal troops, under the justification of a public safety emergency, remains controversial amid these conflicting narratives.