FBI reports more than 1,200 arrests under Trump's federal crime crackdown in DC

Key Updates

Over 1,200 arrests reported
FBI Director Kash Patel announced that federal law enforcement agencies have surpassed 1,200 arrests under President Trump's federal crime crackdown in Washington, D.C. This includes 35 arrests between August 27 and 28, along with the seizure of 3 firearms and 12 batches of illegal drugs.

Strain on courts and legal system
The surge in arrests has overwhelmed D.C.’s judicial system. Cases have increased from about 6 federal cases per week to as many as 6 per day, with the Superior Court handling more than 100 criminal defendants daily. There are growing concerns over extended pre-trial detentions, backlogs, and a potential erosion of justice.

Allegations of unconstitutional tactics
A federal judge criticized several law enforcement tactics, calling one case “the most illegal search” he had ever encountered, and flagged other instances involving mental health–affected individuals being improperly held. Critics say the federal operation has, in some cases, trampled constitutional protections and public trust.