The NPR Politics Podcast Trump Says D.C. Is Now ‘Crime Free.’ What’s The Reality?
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Sep 3, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Alex Koma, a Senior Politics Reporter at WAMU, dives into the complex realities of crime in D.C., countering President Trump's claims of a "crime-free zone". They explore the implications of the increased federal presence and its impact on local governance. Koma discusses residents' mixed feelings about federal involvement in local crime and the need for community-focused solutions over oversight. Additionally, the podcast touches on homelessness and the challenges of balancing local authority with federal initiatives.
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Unprecedented Federal Presence In Everyday Spaces
- D.C. now shows a novel federal presence with National Guard and roaming federal agents in transit hubs and subway stations.
- Those agents are intervening in low-level matters like fare evasion and immigration checks in ways not seen before.
Crime Trends Are Localized And Historic
- D.C.'s violent crime increased during the pandemic and peaked in 2023, resembling levels not seen since the 1990s.
- Crime remains concentrated in historically disinvested Black neighborhoods, not evenly across the city.
Court Data Shows Mix Of Serious And Minor Charges
- About 1,000 people went through D.C. Superior Court in the first two weeks after federalization and ~20% faced felony charges.
- Many other cases were misdemeanors, traffic offenses, warrants, or later dropped by prosecutors.