Trump’s D.C. Crime Task Force Reaches Milestone of 10,000 Arrests

President Donald Trump’s “Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force” has reached a significant milestone, conducting over 10,000 arrests and removing more than 1,000 illegal firearms from the streets of Washington D.C. since its inception in August 2025.

“President Trump’s federal surge in Washington, D.C. has saved lives and helped restore our Nation’s beautiful capital city for all Americans to enjoy,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi told reporters. “We have proven that tolerating crime is a policy choice — we choose public safety.”

The task force, established by executive order in March 2025, operates as a coordinated effort involving 3,100 personnel from 28 federal and local agencies. U.S. Marshals Service Director Gadyaces S. Serralta leads the coalition, which includes the Metropolitan Police Department, National Guard, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Capitol Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

This federal intervention came in response to a troubling surge in high-profile violent crimes in early 2025, following already elevated crime rates during the pandemic era. The capital had been particularly plagued by young adults committing violent offenses such as armed carjackings.

According to data provided to the press, the task force’s impact has been substantial. Since its implementation, murders in the district have decreased by 68% compared to the same period in 2025. Robberies have fallen by 47%, sexual abuse by 64%, and overall violent crime has decreased by 31%.

The 10,018 arrests to date include 28 for homicide, 1,693 for narcotics violations, 874 for weapons offenses, 34 for sex offenses, and the apprehension of 52 known gang members. The task force has also successfully located 19 missing children during operations.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro characterized the initiative’s results in stark terms: “The era of unchecked violence is over. President Trump’s decisive no-nonsense strategy to restore law and order, the federal surge of law enforcement resources, combined with aggressive prosecution of violent offenders, is delivering real, measurable results.”

Among the task force’s high-profile arrests was the apprehension of three teenagers allegedly responsible for the June 2025 killing of 21-year-old congressional intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, who was struck by a stray bullet while walking near the D.C. Convention Center. This shocking death served as a catalyst for the subsequent crime crackdown.

In another notable case, Laurence Cotton-Powell, 19, and Anthony Taylor, 18, were arrested in October 2025 for the alleged attempted carjacking, robbery and beating of a former Department of Government Efficiency staff member.

Other significant arrests include Alvin Young, charged with a 2022 armed murder; Christopher Watts, wanted in Florida for child exploitation charges; and Richard Brown, apprehended after a vehicle pursuit that crossed state lines into Maryland. Brown faces multiple weapons charges, including possession of a machine gun.

“By removing 1,000 illicit firearms from D.C. streets and making 10,000 arrests, we have achieved unprecedented results, not just for the Task Force, but for all the residents, commuters, students, and visitors to Washington, D.C.,” said Serralta. “But rest assured, our work is not done. Washington, D.C. is the beating heart of our great Nation, and we will not stop until we fulfill President Trump’s promise to make its communities safe again.”

Rob Cekada, Deputy Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, emphasized the significance of the weapons recovery effort: “Removing 1,000 guns from violent offenders is not symbolic, it is decisive action to restore law and order in our nation’s capital. President Trump made it clear that Washington, D.C. will not be surrendered to criminals, and ATF is fully committed to relentlessly pursuing those who traffic, possess, and use illegal firearms.”

The administration has framed the initiative’s apparent success as validation of its tough-on-crime approach, with officials suggesting that the dramatic reduction in violent crime demonstrates the effectiveness of aggressive federal intervention in areas experiencing high crime rates.