The Crime Crisis Cited by the White House
The order details a sobering statistical picture:
- Homicide rate in 2024: 54 per 100,000 residents — higher than all 50 states and several cities in Mexico and Colombia.
- Robbery and violent crime rates among the highest of any large U.S. city.
- Vehicle theft rate: 842.4 per 100,000 residents —more than three times the national average of 250.2.
The order characterizes these numbers as not just a local crisis but a national security risk, asserting that such violence “undermines critical functions of Government… and erodes confidence in the strength of the United States.”
A Model for Nationwide Crackdowns?
While this order applies specifically to Washington D.C., it could become a template for federal intervention in other cities experiencing surges in violent crime.
The concept is simple: if local governments are unable or unwilling to control violence that impacts federal operations or national security, the DOJ could assume temporary control of police forces under comparable legal authority.
For crime victims and their families, this shift in policing power could signal a new era of victim-centered enforcement — with greater emphasis on prosecuting violent offenders, imposing longer sentences, and prioritizing deterrence.
