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In a dramatic press conference last week, former President Donald Trump announced a federal takeover of Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department and the deployment of National Guard troops to the nation’s capital, claiming the district’s homicide rate exceeded “the worst places on Earth.”
Trump displayed charts during the August 11 announcement that he said demonstrated D.C.’s murder rate was unrivaled globally. “The murder rate in Washington today is higher than that of Bogotá, Colombia, Mexico City, some of the places that you hear about as being the worst places on Earth,” Trump stated.
Holding up a chart previously aired on Fox News’ “The Will Cain Show,” Trump declared, “We have DC: 41 per 100,000. No.1 that we can find anywhere in the world.” He added that while “other cities are pretty bad, they’re not as bad as that.”
However, an examination of crime statistics reveals significant inaccuracies in Trump’s claims. The data presented by the former president was outdated, reflecting 2023 figures rather than current rates. More importantly, even the 2023 statistics don’t support the assertion that Washington, D.C. has the world’s highest homicide rate.
According to a February report from the Rochester Institute of Technology, D.C.’s homicide rate in 2024 was 27.3 per 100,000 residents, a substantial decrease from the 2023 rate of 39.4 per 100,000. The Department of Justice acknowledged this improvement in a January press release, noting that “violent crime for 2024 in the District of Columbia is down 35% from 2023 and is the lowest it has been in over 30 years.”
The Metropolitan Police Department reported 274 homicides in 2023, dropping to 187 in 2024. The downward trend has continued into 2025, with 99 homicides reported as of August compared to 112 during the same period in 2024.
Crime data analyst Jeff Asher questioned the methodology of comparing Washington, D.C.—a city of approximately 700,000 people—to international metropolises with populations in the millions. “A comparison to other large U.S. cities would be more appropriate in my opinion,” Asher said.
James Alan Fox, a criminology professor at Northeastern University, noted that Washington’s homicide rate is influenced by its geographical constraints. Unlike cities such as Philadelphia and New York, which include suburban areas within their city limits, D.C. is “almost completely urban.” Since crime rates are calculated by dividing the number of incidents by the population, including safer suburban areas can moderate overall figures.
The Igarapé Institute, a Brazilian nonprofit that monitors global homicide rates, identified 49 cities worldwide with higher homicide rates than Washington, D.C. in 2023. Among these were three capital cities: Cape Town (South Africa), Kingston and St. Andrew (Jamaica), and Caracas (Venezuela).
Even within the United States, D.C. does not top the list. The Rochester Institute of Technology’s February report ranked the district fourth in U.S. homicide rates, behind St. Louis, New Orleans, and Detroit.
Fox also highlighted challenges in making international comparisons, noting that “crime data in some foreign cities is of questionable accuracy.” He added that U.S. homicide rates generally exceed those of other developed nations largely due to “the proliferation of guns.”
While Trump correctly stated that D.C.’s 2023 homicide rate exceeded those of Bogotá and Mexico City, his claim that the district has the highest murder rate “anywhere in the world” is demonstrably false. The assertion ignores both the significant recent decline in D.C. homicides and the numerous global cities with higher rates.
The former president’s announcement comes amid ongoing political tensions over federal intervention in the nation’s capital, with D.C. Mayor Bowser describing Trump’s police takeover as “unsettling.”
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14 Comments
This fact check provides a useful counterpoint to Trump’s claims, highlighting the importance of using accurate, up-to-date information. It’s crucial that public discourse is grounded in facts, not outdated or misleading data.
I agree, it’s concerning to see such a high-profile figure making claims that don’t seem to be supported by the evidence. Responsible reporting and fact-checking are essential for maintaining public trust.
The discrepancies between Trump’s claims and the actual data on DC’s homicide rate are quite significant. This article provides a valuable service in exposing these inaccuracies and holding the former president accountable. It’s a timely reminder of the importance of evidence-based reporting.
Absolutely. In an era of increasing misinformation and polarization, it’s critical that we rely on authoritative, well-researched sources to inform our understanding of important issues. This fact check sets a strong example of responsible journalism.
It’s worrying to see such blatant misrepresentation of data, especially from a former president. This article serves as a valuable reminder to always cross-check information, no matter the source.
You’re right, this underscores the need for rigorous fact-checking and accountability, especially when it comes to influential figures making claims that could impact public perception and policy.
Interesting fact check on Trump’s claims about DC’s homicide rate. It’s important to rely on accurate, up-to-date data rather than outdated statistics when making such serious allegations.
I agree, it’s concerning to see public figures making inaccurate statements, especially on such an important issue. Fact-checking is crucial for maintaining public trust.
This article highlights the importance of verifying claims, even from high-profile figures. It’s good to see the data being scrutinized and the inaccuracies being called out.
Absolutely. Transparent and evidence-based reporting is essential, particularly when it comes to sensitive topics like crime rates and public safety.
This fact check highlights the need for public figures to be held accountable for the accuracy of their statements, especially on issues of public safety and crime. It’s concerning to see such blatant misrepresentation of data, and it’s good to see it being challenged.
I agree, it’s crucial that we maintain a high standard of truthfulness and transparency, particularly when it comes to influential figures making claims that could impact public policy and perception. This article serves as an important reminder of the importance of rigorous fact-checking.
The inaccuracies in Trump’s statements regarding DC’s homicide rate are troubling, and this article does a good job of unpacking the real data. It’s a valuable reminder to be skeptical of claims, even from prominent figures, and to seek out reliable sources.
Absolutely. In today’s information landscape, it’s more important than ever to carefully evaluate the claims we encounter, rather than simply accepting them at face value. This article sets a good example of responsible, fact-based journalism.