DC Council chair defends crime-fighting efforts after Trump floats federal takeover of capital

Jeff Barker, Baltimore Sun on Aug 8, 2025

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The chairman of the Washington, D.C., Council said Friday that crime in the nation’s capital “is at the lowest rates we’ve seen in 30 years” after President Donald Trump threatened a federal takeover of the city following an attempted carjacking.

Chairman Phil Mendelson told The Baltimore Sun: “We understand the concerns and care deeply about the safety of District residents.”

But Mendelson defended the council’s efforts, saying it has funded the Metropolitan Police Department at proper levels and passed public safety legislation such as a summer youth curfew and an extension of pretrial detention, “all in an effort to support local law enforcement.”

Trump posted earlier this week on Truth Social: “If D.C. doesn’t get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City, and run this City how it should be run, and put criminals on notice that they’re not going to get away with it anymore.”

The Republican president’s post followed the arrest of two 15-year-olds in Washington in connection with the attempted carjacking and beating of one of the most prominent members of the Department of Government Efficiency, according to The Associated Press.

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, declined comment Friday through a spokesperson.

Mendelson said local prosecutors have declined cases at a high rate, and police have had a low rate of closing cases following arrests. “Both will make the biggest difference in deterring crime,” the chairman said.

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