The Trump administration’s crackdown on violent crime in Washington, D.C., has already netted more than 240 arrests and 38 guns, a White House official told Fox News. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
EXPERT FLIPS SCRIPT ON DEMS PUSHING 'CHERRY-PICKED' CRIME STATS TO RESIST TRUMP'S DC CRACKDOWN
White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller hailed the scale of the operations and said the numbers are "breathtaking."
"We have seen a record number of violent offenders, bad guys, gang members and all kinds of threats to public safety removed off the streets as well as their illegal weapons that they've been using to terrorize the citizens of this city," Miller told "Fox News Live."
"Additionally, we have seen over 70 homeless encampments that have scarred and disfigured the public streets of this city, dismantled and thrown away and the homeless cleared from those encampments. At the same time, we have the National Park Service going around and getting rid of the gang graffiti that has been left untouched by this city for decades."
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters, accompanied by Attorney General Pam Bondi and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, announcing the deployment of federal law enforcement agents in Washington to bolster the police presence Aug. 11, 2025. (Reuters/Jonathan Ernst)
Other arrests included drug distribution, weapons violations and outstanding warrants. Police also detained suspects accused of fleeing law enforcement, reckless driving, assault with a dangerous weapon and kidnapping.
The D.C. National Guard carried out roving patrols on foot and in vehicles around the National Mall and Union Station last night. While they remain armed, the officials stressed they are not making arrests, instead securing federal assets and providing cover for police.
Trump began floating the idea of federalizing D.C. law enforcement after the brutal beating of a former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employee during an alleged attempted carjacking in Washington’s Logan Circle. He then moved to ramp up his crackdown on Monday, invoking the Home Rule Act.
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Democrats and local officials pushed back, noting MPD and the U.S. Attorney’s Office report violent crime is at a 30-year low, down 35% from 2023 to 2024.
FBI data for the same period shows a much smaller decrease of around 9%, highlighting a substantial gap between local and federal statistics. The discrepancy stems from differences in how crimes are classified and reported to federal databases.
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller said the number of arrests was "breathtaking." (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser described the federal action as "unsettling and unprecedented," while Democrats have introduced a joint resolution in an effort to put the brakes on the federal takeover of police.
Michael Dorgan is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.
You can send tips to michael.dorgan@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @M_Dorgan.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hundreds-arrested-as-trumps-washington-dc-crime-crackdown-hits-full-stride