WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Justice Department has launched an investigation into whether Washington, D.C., police officials falsified crime statistics to make crime rates appear lower than they actually are, according to two individuals familiar with the matter. The sources, who were not authorized to discuss the probe publicly, said the inquiry is ongoing and details remain limited.
Focus of the Investigation
The investigation centers on allegations that crime data was manipulated within the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). It remains unclear which federal laws may have been violated or how widespread the alleged misconduct might be.
The probe comes at a politically charged moment, as President Donald Trump has ordered a federal takeover of the city’s police department, citing what he claims are worsening violent crime rates. Trump has deployed hundreds of National Guard members to patrol the streets. However, independent analyses show that crime in Washington has declined in recent years, raising questions about the accuracy of the president’s claims.
City and Federal Reactions
Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office declined to comment on the federal investigation. Likewise, the office of U.S. Attorney Jeannine Pirro, who oversees prosecutions in Washington, did not respond to requests for comment.
The New York Times was the first to report the existence of the Justice Department’s inquiry.
Background on Crime Data Concerns
Reports of possible data manipulation within the MPD first surfaced earlier this year. According to NBC Washington, one police commander suspected of altering crime figures was placed on paid administrative leave.
Mayor Bowser confirmed that the city’s police chief had launched a review of all seven police districts. “The chief had concerns about one commander, investigated all seven districts, and verified that the concern was with one person,” Bowser told NBC Washington. “So, we are completing that investigation and we don’t believe it implicates many cases.”
Political Stakes and Public Safety Claims
The controversy has unfolded against the backdrop of a tense struggle between city officials and the Trump administration over control of Washington’s police force. Trump has repeatedly argued that crime in the capital is spiraling, though critics say his statements exaggerate the problem and serve a political agenda.
Former interim U.S. Attorney Ed Martin, Trump’s first appointee to the post earlier this year, touted declining crime figures as evidence of the administration’s success. In an April 28 news release, Martin’s office claimed that violent crime in Washington had dropped 25 percent in the first 100 days of 2025.
“We are proving that strong enforcement and smart policies can make our communities safer,” Martin said at the time.
The apparent contradiction between Trump’s claims of rising crime and data showing decreases has fueled speculation about whether statistics were manipulated internally, and if so, by whom.
What Comes Next
The Justice Department has not provided a timeline for its investigation, and it is unclear whether federal prosecutors will bring charges. If confirmed, falsifying crime data could undermine public trust in law enforcement and complicate city efforts to respond to crime.
For now, Washington officials are awaiting the results of both the city’s internal review and the Justice Department’s independent probe.
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