Homicides decreased by 41% during the year in Washington, D.C.
It has officially been one year since President Trump deployed National Guard troops to the nation’s capital. Recent reports are showing a decrease in several types of dangerous crimes in Washington, D.C. since the deployment of troops on August 11, 2025.
During the first half of 2026, data shows that homicides in D.C. fell by 41%.
The recent report also showed that carjackings declined by 63%, and motor vehicle thefts fell by 54%.
Not all types of crimes decreased. According to the report, aggravated assaults rose by 45% and gun assaults increased by 13%.
Statistics from D.C. show that there was a 32% year-over-year decline in homicides from 2025 to 2026 on August 11. Statistics also show that there has been an overall 20% reduction in crime in the district over the same time period.
While the National Guard has been deployed in D.C., troops were deputized by the U.S. Marshals Service. This allowed them to have temporary law enforcement powers. While they are unable to arrest individuals, they can detain them for arrest by law enforcement officers in the city.
Since August 11, 2025, more than 16,000 arrests have been made, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
Those arrests include 35 homicide suspects, more than 100 known gang members, more than 3,200 narcotics arrests, and almost 2,000 illegal firearms seized. A total of 25 missing children were also found and returned home.
“The true impact of the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission is written not only in statistics, but the impact on our community. It is found in the courage of those who serve so that others could move through our nation’s capital with greater safety and peace,” said Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard, in a recent statement.
Attorney General Todd Blanche posted on social media about the effectiveness of the deployment mission.
“In just one year, D.C. is safer than it has been in years, and we’re not done yet.”
