President Trump’s bold claim about DC violence is now under scrutiny
Did Washington D.C. really see more murders than Latin American megacities?
President Donald Trump recently made a startling assertion, comparing the homicide rate in the U.S. capital to notoriously violent cities south of the border.
Taking Control of the Capital
The President announced his intention to place the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department under federal control, bolstered by the deployment of 800 National Guard troops.
His stated reason? An effort to “take back the city” amidst what he described as a dire security situation.
“The murder rate in Washington today is higher than that of Bogotá, Colombia; Mexico City, or some of the places that you hear about as being the worst places on Earth. It’s much higher,” Trump declared.
He further elaborated that D.C. had “double or triple” the homicide rates of cities like Brasilia, Panama City, and San José, suggesting a stark contrast in safety.
Mayor’s Response
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser reacted strongly to the President’s announcement.
She characterized the move as “alarming and unprecedented,” expressing that while not entirely surprising, she would not “minimize the intrusion on the autonomy” of the city.
Mayor Bowser affirmed that the local government continues to operate effectively and assured residents that the organizational structure of the Metropolitan Police Department remained unchanged.
Digging into the Numbers
The President’s claims were reportedly based on a graph presenting data for 2024.
This data allegedly showed Washington D.C. with a homicide rate of 27.5 per 100,000 inhabitants.
According to the President’s figures, this rate would indeed place D.C. above several Latin American capitals, including Bogotá (15), Mexico City (10), and Lima (7.7).
What Official Statistics Reveal
Official statistics from various sources, including Mexican and Panamanian government agencies, do seem to align with the President’s assertion that Washington’s homicide rate has, in recent years, surpassed some Latin American capitals.
However, a closer look at the most recent available data presents a more complex picture.
An analysis by CNN journalist Daniel Dale indicates that crime in Washington has actually seen a significant decline.
While 2023 saw a spike with 274 homicides, the highest in over two decades, the numbers for 2024 have dropped considerably.
A Deeper Dive into Recent Trends
Data compiled by crime expert Jeff Asher suggests that homicides in Washington had fallen by 34% by July of the current year compared to the same period in 2023.
Furthermore, the violent crime rate for 2024 is reported to be the second lowest since 1966.
Preliminary analysis from the Washington Metropolitan Police Department appears to corroborate this downward trend, noting a decrease in overall crime so far in 2025.
This pattern mirrors similar declines observed in other major U.S. cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
The President’s stark comparison, while seemingly supported by some specific data points, faces scrutiny when more recent and comprehensive crime statistics are considered.