President Donald Trump declared a 'war on crime' and took the unprecedented step of deploying federal troops to Washington D.C., after which violent crimes such as murder and robbery noticeably decreased. The Trump-style 'shock therapy' has been evaluated to have a short-term effect. However, at the same time, there were criticisms of the unusual sight of soldiers armed with armored vehicles and rifles patrolling downtown, leading to renewed debates in American society over 'safety' and 'freedom,' which are age-old issues.
On the 27th (local time), Muriel Bowser, the D.C. mayor from the Democratic Party, revealed at a press briefing that the 'Federal Surge Data Report' showed a dramatic decrease in crime rates in D.C. after the intervention of the Trump administration. According to the report, from August 7 to 26, a 20-day period during which federal agents and the National Guard were deployed, overall violent crime in D.C. dropped by 45% compared to the same period last year. Particularly, vehicle thefts, which were making citizens anxious in their daily lives, plummeted by 87%. The overall crime rate also fell by 15%. From the 14th to the 25th, D.C. experienced an unusual calm with no murders occurring for 12 consecutive days for the first time in six months. Mayor Bowser stated, 'I am very grateful for the increase in federal agents,' effectively acknowledging the impact of presidential policies from the political opposition.
Since violent crime peaked in 2023, the overall number of crimes in D.C. had been on a declining trend since last year. However, certain crimes that directly impact the daily lives of citizens were spiraling out of control. From 2019 to 2024, vehicle hijacking incidents surged by 241% and vehicle thefts increased by 143%. At one point, D.C. earned the notorious label of 'the most dangerous capital' as it surpassed Chicago in murder rates.
On the 11th, President Trump judged that public safety in D.C. had reached a breaking point and invoked emergency presidential powers under the 'Home Rule Act,' which was enacted in 1973. Soon, the command authority of the D.C. police was temporarily delegated to the federal government. This was the first time a president invoked such authority. While D.C. is a federal territory, it enjoys administrative and legislative autonomy through an elected mayor and city council under the Home Rule Act. Subsequently, federal agents from the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) along with the National Guard were deployed throughout the streets of D.C.
The achievements in ensuring public safety with the mobilization of the National Guard were notable. However, public opinion was sharply divided. According to a survey conducted by Quinnipiac University from the 21st to the 25th among 1,220 registered voters nationwide, more than half of the respondents, 56%, opposed the deployment of the D.C. National Guard. However, 86% of Republican supporters were in favor, while 93% of Democratic supporters were against, indicating a stark divide based on political affiliation.
In a survey conducted specifically among D.C. residents, opposition was much stronger. A poll by The Washington Post and Charles School from the 14th to the 17th revealed that nearly 80% of residents opposed the federal government's intervention. Notably, among residents who reported seeing federal agents and the National Guard on the streets, 61% stated that they felt 'even less safe' because of it. There was a clear disconnect in perception of 'public safety' between the Trump administration and the residents of D.C.
AP reported that even high-ranking D.C. police commanders are concerned that federal government intervention may alienate residents and damage community trust in the long term. The AP quoted a D.C. police official asking, 'While we are driving violent individuals off the streets, what will be the long-term cost?'
The controversy extends beyond public safety to overall city operations. The Trump administration announced on the 27th that it would take over operations at Union Station, a transportation hub in D.C., and proceed with environmental improvements. The administration stated its position to address homelessness and crime issues in the area. In contrast, the D.C. city council criticized the administration's decision as 'a regressive measure that wastes taxpayer money and efforts,' noting that its plan to expand the station, costing $10 billion (approximately 13.8 trillion won), has been scrapped after years of promotion.