Criminal Inquiry Underway
Federal prosecutors have initiated a criminal investigation into allegations that Washington DC police may have manipulated crime statistics to make the city appear safer than it truly is. Sources cited by the Washington Post, NBC News, and Fox News report that the investigation is being conducted by the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, led by Jeanine Pirro.
Trump Comments on Investigation
Former President Donald Trump highlighted the inquiry on social media, claiming that DC authorities provided “fake crime numbers” to create a “false sense of security” and that officials are now “under serious investigation.”
Trigger for Investigation
The probe reportedly began after Metropolitan Police Commander Michael Pulliam was suspended in May for allegedly altering crime data, though Pulliam denies the allegations. Prosecutors are now examining whether additional officers and city officials were involved in wrongdoing.
Discrepancies in Crime Data
Mayor Muriel Bowser has cited official figures showing a 27% drop in violent crime over the past year and a 35% decrease in 2024, using these numbers to argue against federal oversight of local police. In contrast, DC police union president Gregg Pemberton—who supports federal intervention—described both statistics as misleading, asserting that officers encounter a much higher level of crime in their day-to-day duties.
Union Perspective on Street Reality
Pemberton told NBC News Washington that police officers are responding constantly to incidents such as robberies, carjackings, stabbings, and shootings. “Crime is widespread across every part of the city,” he said, emphasizing a significant gap between reported statistics and officers’ experiences on the ground.
