One Year After Federal Law Enforcement Surge, D.C. Is Safer as Crime Declines Sharply

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro marked the one-year anniversary of President Trump's Federal Law Enforcement Surge in the District of Columbia. The surge implemented a significant increase in federal law enforcement resources, bolstering our teams with additional agents, advanced tools, and a no-nonsense mandate that renewed the focus on cracking down on violent offenders, dismantling criminal networks, and restoring safety to District neighborhoods.

"We've seen firsthand how sustained, coordinated law enforcement efforts can make an impact and the impact is real when cases are prosecuted," said U.S. Attorney Pirro. "Our prosecution efforts are up 67 percent since I became U.S. Attorney. Over the past year, we have worked relentlessly to reduce violence, hold offenders accountable, and restore a sense of safety in neighborhoods across the District. Nearly 2,000 illegal firearms were taken off the streets, and arrests included murderers, sex offenders, drug traffickers, and other violent criminals. These results reflect the dedication of every agency involved and our shared commitment to protecting the people of Washington, D.C."

Over the past year, President Trump's Federal Law Enforcement Surge has resulted in sharp declines in violent crime and property crime across Washington, D.C., based on year-over-year comparisons. Homicides have dropped by 45 percent, carjackings by 64 percent, and robberies by 33 percent. The District has also seen a 53 percent reduction in motor vehicle thefts.

Since August 11, 2025, the U.S. Attorney's Office has charged 16,724 cases in D.C. Superior Court, a 67 percent increase from the previous year. During that same period, the U.S. Attorney's no paper rate is approximately 5 percent-representing a 76 percent decrease from the 5,250 arrests no-papered the prior year. By comparison, the U.S. Attorney under the previous administration recorded a no-paper rate of 67 percent, underscoring the magnitude of the Office's current charging improvements. Today, there are approximately 24,000 criminal cases pending in D.C. Superior Court.

Case resolutions have also strengthened. In the past 12 months, prosecutors secured 5,767 guilty pleas, 213 guilty verdicts at trial, and successfully resolved an additional 969 cases through diversion.

These gains were driven by close coordination among federal agencies, local law enforcement, and the Metropolitan Police Department. Under the Executive Order, the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force was created to tackle priority public safety challenges, including violent crime, carjackings, property offenses, and vandalism. The initiative supports President Trump's directive to crack down on gun violence, prioritize federal firearms violations, impose tougher penalties, and seek detention for federal firearms offenders.

As part of these efforts, law enforcement agencies have seized nearly 2,000 illegal firearms from the streets of Washington, D.C., reflecting the impact of sustained, coordinated policing across jurisdictions.

Together, these measures underscore a year of focused work to support safety, strengthen neighborhoods, and improve the quality of life throughout the District.