President Donald Trump recently federalized Washington, D.C., declaring a “crime emergency,” sparking debate about public safety. While official data shows violent crime is down 26% compared to 2024, many residents say the statistics don’t match daily reality.

ABC News anchor Kyra Phillips shared her experience: she “was attacked just two blocks from her D.C. studio within the past two years.” She noted that two ABC staffers were victims of violent incidents, including a deadly shooting. “So we can talk about the numbers going down, but crime is happening every single day because we’re all experiencing it firsthand,” she said.

D.C. has reported 99 homicides in 2025 so far. Controversy surrounds D.C. Police Commander Michael Pulliam, who is under investigation for allegedly manipulating crime data. Though Pulliam denies wrongdoing, his suspension raises questions about the accuracy of the official statistics.

Trump’s actions drew commentary from national media. MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough criticized Democrats, saying they privately acknowledge D.C.’s crime issues but publicly oppose federal intervention. He emphasized that “many residents feel unsafe walking even a few blocks at night.”

Scarborough contrasted D.C. with New York City, calling Manhattan “much safer.” He explained that while he walks long distances in New York, in D.C. he “rushes door-to-door by bike” due to safety concerns.