Some DC Locals Aren’t Convinced Their Shooting-Infested City Has A Crime Problem

Some Washington, D.C. residents are desensitized to violence in the nation’s capital and are questioning President Donald Trump’s move to bring in the national guard to reduce crime, Daily Caller News Foundation reporting found this week.

The DCNF spoke to several people in D.C. who were not only comfortable with their safety in the city but also disapproved of Trump’s federalization of the MPD and expressed skepticism about the National Guard being rolled into the capital.

“Never had a problem…I mean, there’s crime, it’s a big city—there’s no emergency, there’s no reason to federalize the metropolitan police,” one resident told the DCNF. “It’s a big city, people get shot, is that a reason to call out the national guard?”

“If some guy gets mugged, you know, 20 blocks from here, nobody gives a damn,” the resident continued. “If he gets murdered, you think Trump cares?”

The president issued an Executive Order on Monday morning, declaring a crime emergency for the District of Columbia and announcing plans to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Trump’s announcement follows weeks of various statements hinting at plans to mobilize federal forces in Washington.

“I’m announcing a historic action to rescue our nation’s capital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam, squalor, and worse,” the President said in a press conference on Monday. “This is liberation day in DC, and we’re going to take our capital back—we’re taking it back.”

Republicans are rallying behind the president following the move, while Democrats label the action as “authoritarian” and “political theatre.” Indeed, Democrats are denying the president’s allegations wholesale, citing statistics that find crime in Washington to be at their “lowest rate in 30 years.” (RELATED: ‘We Stand With The President’: DC Police Union Backs Trump’s Capital City Crime Crackdown)

As journalists and politicians appear to be downplaying or dismissing crime statistics, little comment is being sought from those who live and experience life in the city.

“I’ve always heard that D.C. has a little bit of a problem, from time to time, but that hasn’t been the experience of people I know who live here long term,” another individual told the DCNF. Many others echoed similar sentiments, arguing that crime in the city has gone down and that they “generally feel safe.”

“I think that there’s a bunch of dudes who are going to get a sick deployment bonus for something that’s really low stakes,” said another resident regarding the National Guard’s deployment in the city.

WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 12: Military vehicles with the Washington, DC National Guard are parked near the Washington Monument on August 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Trump administration has initiated a federal takeover of DC police and mobilized the DC National Guard, saying the moves are necessary to restore order in the city. City officials say they did not know about the plans in advance. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Other residents and visitors told the DCNF they supported the moves to make the city safer.

“People want to live in places where they can come outside and—like today, you know—won’t have to worry about people wanting to jump out on them, and things like that,” said one local.

“I would avoid [going out at night by myself], because I’ve heard a lot of things about the big cities in the United States, so, yeah, I’m a bit scared walking alone,” a visitor to the city told DCNF. “If [Trump’s actions] are going to help reduce the crime, yeah, sure, it probably would make me feel safer when I see more police officers, guards, in the city.”

Several high-profile murders and assaults underlie the developing situation, including the murders of two Jewish Embassy staffers in May, the murder of Congressional Hill intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym in July, the assault of a DOGE Staff worker in August, and multiple shootings in the past week.

“Unacceptable as those acts of violence are, that’s not necessarily, again, I don’t think that that necessitates a mobilization of militarized law enforcement,” said one resident when prompted about these incidents.

Officials have said that 800 National Guard troops and 500 federal law enforcement agents are expected to be deployed under the President’s efforts.

“As President, I have a solemn duty to take care that our laws are faithfully executed, and a sacred responsibility to protect the safety and security of United States citizens who live in and visit our Nation’s capital,” Trump wrote in his Monday Order. “These conditions cannot persist.  We will make the District of Columbia one of the safest cities in the world, not the most dangerous.”

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.