Crime Rates and Political Rhetoric

President Donald Trump has taken over Washington D.C.’s police force and deployed the National Guard in the capital.

The president took over the city’s police department for 30 days, and says he wants Congress to grant him “long-term” control of the force.

All this in the name of public safety, despite the fact that D.C.'s violent crime rate is at a 30-year low.

He says he might do the same in places like Los Angeles, Chicago and Baltimore.

We get into what it all means for our nation’s capital and beyond.

Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. 

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy