Federal prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into the Washington, DC police over allegations of systematically falsifying crime statistics to make the city appear safer. The Guardian reported that the inquiry follows Donald Trump’s social media claims of “fake crime numbers” and marks another escalation in tensions between the Trump administration and DC officials over local policing.
Investigation Launched
The US attorney’s office for the District of Columbia, led by Jeanine Pirro, is conducting the investigation, according to anonymous sources cited by multiple news outlets. The Justice Department has not provided a comment. The probe reportedly expands beyond a single officer to examine potential wrongdoing by multiple police and city officials.
Trump’s Public Claims
On Monday, Trump tweeted that DC officials were providing “fake crime numbers” to create a “false illusion of safety” and confirmed that authorities were “under serious investigation.” His statements highlight the ongoing dispute between the federal government and the city over control of policing.
Suspended Commander Case
The investigation began after Commander Michael Pulliam was suspended in May by the Metropolitan Police Department for allegedly altering crime data. Pulliam, former head of DC’s 3rd district, faces accusations from the police union of misreporting stabbings and carjackings as lesser offenses. Pulliam denies any wrongdoing.
Union Criticism and Allegations
Gregg Pemberton, chief of DC’s police union, claims that the statistics reported by police and the city are “preposterous.” He alleges officers are directed to underreport violent crimes to make overall crime numbers appear lower. “What we’ve heard…is that this is deliberately done,” Pemberton told NBC News, describing instructions from command staff to adjust crime classifications.
City Officials Defend Data
Mayor Muriel Bowser has repeatedly cited police data showing a 27% drop in violent crime over the last year and a 35% decline in 2024. She uses these statistics to argue against Trump’s attempts at federal takeover of DC’s local police, maintaining that the city is safer than critics suggest.
Tensions With Federal Oversight
The investigation and Trump’s comments underscore ongoing friction between the federal government and DC officials. The probe represents the latest effort by federal authorities to scrutinize city operations amid the president’s push for tighter control over law enforcement in the capital.