D.C's Democrat Mayor Bowser Admits Trump's Federal Crime Crackdown Is Working

Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser initially blasted President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy National Guard troops and take oversight of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

The anti-Trump Democrat mayor was warning the move would be “unsettling and unprecedented.”

But after three weeks of results, Bowser acknowledged Wednesday that the federal crackdown has produced clear and measurable success.

The effort is resulting in a massive reduction in crime across the nation’s capital.

At a press conference, Bowser presented a chart showing the impact of Trump’s surge of federal law enforcement, including FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Park Police, and Capitol Police officers, who were brought in to assist MPD.

“We greatly appreciate the surge of officers that enhance what MPD has been able to do in this city,” Bowser said.

She highlighted the steep decline in one of the city’s most visible crimes.

“For carjackings, the difference between this period, this 20-day period of this federal surge and last year represents an 87% reduction in carjackings in Washington, D.C.

“We know that when carjackings go down, when use of guns goes down, when homicide or robbery go down, neighborhoods feel safer and are safer.

“So, this surge has been important to us for that reason.”

Bowser credited the influx of federal officers for a wider impact on violent crime.

“This is what we think in just a couple of weeks of experience has worked,” she said.

“Having more federal law enforcement officers on the street — we think having more stops that got to illegal guns has helped.

“We think that there is more accountability in the system, or at least perceived accountability in the system, that is driving down illegal behavior.

“We know that we have had fewer gun crimes, fewer homicides, and we have experienced an extreme reduction in carjackings.”

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The mayor also noted challenges that came with the federal takeover.

She cited “a break in trust between police and community, especially with new federal partners in our community,” and criticized the use of masked ICE agents in neighborhoods.

Bowser said she prefers more investment in local officers, prosecutors, judges, and prevention programs while maintaining city control.

Still, Bowser conceded that Trump’s expanded federal role has clear benefits in some areas.

Asked about federal management of Union Station, she said the move would be a positive step.

“The Union Station is owned by the Department of Transportation, and it will be a good thing because that station has suffered from needing, some say $12 billion, but let’s call it at least $8 billion worth of investment in the renovation,” Bowser said.

“And that is not something that the district will be able to support.

“It is an important regional asset,” Bowser added.

“It is an important asset for the Eastern Seaboard.

“It’s an important asset for the nation.

“So, it is appropriate, in my view, for the federal government to make the necessary investments in the transformation of Union Station.”