Trump’s Justice Department investigating possible falsification of crime data by DC police officials
The Justice Department has launched an investigation into whether Washington, D.C., police officials manipulated crime data to make the city’s crime rates appear lower, according to a source familiar with the probe who was not authorized to speak publicly. The inquiry comes amid a politically charged dispute between the Trump administration and the city over control of the police department, though it is unclear which federal laws may have been violated if the allegations are confirmed.
President Donald Trump has argued that violent crime in the capital is rising, prompting him to order a federal takeover of the city’s police department and deploy hundreds of National Guard members to the streets. Critics note that Trump has overstated public safety concerns, as crime rates in Washington have generally declined in recent years. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office declined to comment, and a spokesperson for U.S. Attorney Jeannine Pirro did not respond to requests for comment. Earlier this year, a Metropolitan Police Department commander suspected of data manipulation was placed on paid administrative leave. Mayor Bowser said the city’s police chief investigated all seven districts and determined the concern involved only one individual, adding that the review did not implicate many cases. Former interim U.S. Attorney Ed Martin, who preceded Pirro, noted that violent crime in Washington had dropped by 25 percent during the first 100 days of Trump’s current term, attributing the decline to strong enforcement and strategic policies.
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