In a characteristically brash social media post on Monday, President Donald Trump declared that crime in Washington, D.C. has been “eliminated” thanks to his federal crackdown, praised Mayor Muriel Bowser for cooperating, and fired off fresh threats aimed at other Democratic-led cities.
“Wow! Mayor Muriel Bowser of D.C. has become very popular because she worked with me and my great people in bringing CRIME down to virtually NOTHING in D.C.,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, his personal social media platform.
Trump went on to suggest that D.C. is now a “crime-free zone” and took full credit for it—despite overwhelming criticism from local officials and a national poll showing only 38% of Americans support the federal occupation of the city.
The claim comes amid the continued presence of thousands of federal law enforcement officers and National Guard troops patrolling D.C. streets following what Trump calls a “federal takeover.” Local residents, civil rights groups, and even some law enforcement experts have questioned both the legality and the effectiveness of the operation, but Trump is framing it as a model for the rest of the country.
And in typical Trump fashion, the praise came with a warning.
“Congratulations to Mayor Muriel Bowser, but don’t go Woke on us,” he said, adding that, “D.C. is a GIANT VICTORY that never has to end!”
Bowser has made no public statement acknowledging any change in her stance or supporting the continued presence of federal forces in the city. Trump, however, claimed her popularity has risen thanks to her alleged cooperation—despite no current polling to support that.
While attempting to elevate Bowser, Trump used the opportunity to attack a familiar set of Democratic leaders. He took shots at Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and California Governor Gavin Newsom—whom he mockingly referred to as “Newscum.” He also ridiculed Chicago’s mayor, saying they have a “5% approval rating,” and accused them all of “trying to justify violent Crime, instead of working with us to completely ELIMINATE it.”
It’s not the first time Trump has threatened to send federal troops into Democratic cities, but Monday’s post marked a ramp-up in that rhetoric. The D.C. crackdown, controversial as it is, appears to be the blueprint for what Trump envisions elsewhere—particularly in cities like Chicago, which he often holds up as examples of Democratic failure.
Critics argue that Trump’s version of “crime-fighting” is less about public safety and more about political theater—using overwhelming force to create optics of control.
Still, for Trump, facts rarely get in the way of the story he wants to tell. The president is painting himself as the savior of America’s cities—even if the residents of those cities didn’t ask for saving.
What’s more, with the 2026 midterms around the corner, this might just be the opening salvo in a renewed effort to paint Democrats as weak on crime—and himself as the only one tough enough to bring “law and order.”
