Under President Donald Trump's federal crime crackdown, arrests in Washington, D.C., have exceeded 1,000, as the city marks its 12th consecutive day without a homicide. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro reported that on a recent Sunday, 86 arrests were made, along with the seizure of 10 illegal firearms, bringing the total to 1,007 arrests and 111 guns removed from circulation. Pirro highlighted the impact of these seizures on public safety, suggesting they prevent potential violence.
Pirro attributed the improvements in safety to Trump's deployment of federal law enforcement agencies in D.C., claiming that the presence of these forces has made a significant difference in reducing crime rates. While the year has seen 101 homicides in D.C., the 12-day homicide-free streak was emphasized as a positive outcome of the initiative.
FBI Director Kash Patel noted that a portion of the recent arrests was due to FBI operations, which also included drug seizures. In contrast, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson criticized the federal crackdown, labeling it uncoordinated and ineffective, while Pirro defended the D.C. operation, asserting it serves as a deterrent for criminal activity.
As part of the initiative, Trump signed an executive order aimed at addressing crime in D.C., which includes instructing police to charge suspects with federal crimes to avoid cashless bail systems. Additionally, National Guard troops in D.C. have been authorized to carry firearms as they support local law enforcement efforts.
The crackdown, initiated with the formation of the "Making D.C. Safe and Beautiful" task force, has combined resources from multiple federal agencies, marking a historical approach to addressing crime in the nation's capital.