President Donald Trump pledged Thursday that “phony” Washington crime data would be investigated amid his federal takeover of the local police.
“They are under investigation right now,” Trump said from the Oval Office. “They are giving us phony crime stats, just like they gave other stats in the financial world. But they’re phony crime stats, and Washington, D.C., is at its worst point, and it will soon be at its best point.”
The president announced a monthlong takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department on Monday, and National Guard troops are now stationed inside the District of Columbia.
One issue, along with the district’s high murder rate, is that officials have faced accusations of altering crime stats to make Washington appear safer than it is.
Trump appeared to endorse that view, saying he will get to the bottom of the matter.
“You’re going to have a crime-free city,” he added. “We’re not playing games. These are criminals we’re dealing with.”
A man went to prison for assaulting me. DC Police crime stats show he was never arrested
While reactions among district residents have been mixed, Trump assured that everyone wants to see safe streets in Washington.
“People are so happy to see our military going into D.C. and getting these thugs out,” Trump said, adding that some people who have been taken in had up to 28 previous arrests but were let back out on the street thanks to cashless bail.
.@POTUS: “People are so happy to see our military going into D.C. and getting these thugs out.” 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wYsScwPM6F
