Trump claims DC's 'real' crime rates are 'probably five to ten times' more than reported

President Donald Trump on Wednesday night published a lengthy social media post that claimed the real crime rates in Washington, D.C. are "probably five to ten times" what has been documented because so much crime goes unreported. 

Trump on Monday announced a federal takeover of the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department amid high crime rates in the capital. He also ordered 800 D.C. National Guard troops be deployed to help cut down on crime.

A recent report found Washington, D.C.'s homicide rate is the fourth highest in the country, behind major cities like St. Louis, New Orleans and Detroit. Washington, D.C.'s crime rate is also higher than many major cities in Latin America.

"Washington, D.C., has one of the Highest Rates of Crime in the World, more than many of the most violent Third World Countries," Trump claimed on Truth Social. "The City’s Homicide Rate is higher than places notorious for their violence, such as Mexico City, Bogota, Islamabad, and Addis Ababa — Almost ten times higher than Fallujah, Iraq. If D.C. were a State, it would have the highest Homicide Rate of any State in America."

Trump claimed the inaccuracy between what has been reported versus the real crime rate is because Democratic city officials have stopped prosecuting certain crimes, and city residents have stopped calling for the police.

"Citizens living in fear have largely given up on calling the police, instead choosing not to walk the streets after dark, essentially becoming captive prisoners in their own city," Trump wrote. "Stores lock up their merchandise behind glass walls. Gang Youth Violence is so common it goes largely unreported. Vehicle Theft in D.C. is more than three times the National Average. Schools are completely dysfunctional."

The comment on youth violence comes after former 19-year-old Department of Government Efficiency staffer Edward Coristine was assaulted by an alleged group of juveniles in the district last week.

"The REAL Crime Rates are probably five to ten times what has been reported. D.C. has been under siege from thugs and killers, but now, D.C. is back under Federal Control where it belongs," Trump concluded. "The White House is in charge. The Military and our Great Police will liberate this City, scrape away the filth, and make it safe, clean, habitable and beautiful once more."

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.