The Department of Justice has launched an investigation into Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department, alleging that the agency may have manipulated data to make crime rates appear lower, according to multiple reports.
News of the investigation, which is slated to be run out of U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro’s office, follows a post from President Donald Trump on Monday night that claimed without evidence that “D.C. gave Fake Crime numbers in order to create a false illusion of safety.”
“This is a very bad and dangerous thing to do, and they are under serious investigation for so doing!” Trump continued.
The DOJ, Metropolitan Police Department and D.C. mayor’s office did not respond to NOTUS’ request for comment.
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Mayor Muriel Bowser has consistently denied the reality of a “crime emergency” cited by Trump for his ongoing takeover of the local police department. MPD data found violent crime is down 27% over this time last year, with homicides down 11%.
NBC4 Washington reported in May that MPD put a police commander, Michael Pulliam, on leave after launching an investigation into crime reports he allegedly falsified. Pulliam has denied any wrongdoing.
Sources familiar with the ongoing DOJ investigation told The Washington Post the current search goes beyond Pulliam, examining other local officials.
Last Monday, Trump announced he would be activating 800 D.C. National Guard members and taking control of the Metropolitan Police Department in order to address what he claims is a “crime emergency” in the city.
Since then, at least six Republican states have announced plans to send additional National Guard troops to D.C. at Trump’s request. There has also been an increase in the number of federal agents patrolling the District’s streets, where they have set up checkpoints, cleared homeless encampments and removed protest signs.
The Department of Homeland Security has reported nearly 400 arrests over the last seven days.
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