Kristi Noem: Robberies in DC are down 46%

Kristi Noem: You can already see and feel the difference in D.C. People know they can walk the streets, run their errands, and do so in a safer environment today than just a week ago. In fact, statistics show that robberies and similar crimes have dropped by 46% in the past week thanks to what President Trump has done to go after these criminals. We have many different agencies working together. I’m very pleased that there are states stepping up and willing to activate National Guard troops to help as well. We have ICE and CBP, we have the Secret Service, we have all kinds of DEA and FBI personnel, and those from the DOJ who are committed to this effort and truly support the American people. I’m very proud of the work we’re doing.

In August 2025, following the declaration of a “Public Safety Emergency,” President Donald Trump launched a large-scale operation in Washington D.C. that included federal control of the local police, the deployment of 800 National Guard troops, and the subsequent arrival of 900 additional soldiers from West Virginia, Ohio, Mississippi, and South Carolina. The intervention also involved active participation from federal agencies such as the FBI, DEA, ICE, CBP, and the Secret Service, significantly increasing the federal government’s presence in the city.
During the first week of the operation, 465 arrests were made, 68 firearms were seized, and in a single night, 9 weapons were removed and 52 individuals were detained. Among those captured was at least one member of the MS-13 gang, and nearly half of the arrests occurred in high-crime areas. Authorities reported a 46% drop in crimes such as robbery, emphasizing that residents already feel safer walking the streets and going about their daily activities.
Federal officials expressed pride in the interagency collaboration and thanked the states that activated troops to support the operation. However, local Democratic leaders condemned the measure as a “hostile takeover” and filed a lawsuit against the federal government.