Former President Donald Trump is once again suggesting the possibility of deploying national guard troops to cities with high crime rates, particularly those governed by Democrats. This comes amidst a claim that crime is primarily concentrated in "Democrat-run cities." However, data suggests a more nuanced picture.
Trump's Assertion vs. The Data
Trump stated that "just about every one of those cities" with high crime rates is run by Democrats. But a report by the Rochester Institute of Technology, analyzing FBI data from 2024, reveals that two cities with the highest homicide rates actually have Republican mayors. Furthermore, six states included in the list are led by GOP governors.
Misleading Claims About Washington D.C.
The former president also repeated a false claim about Washington D.C., asserting that it's been "many years" since the city experienced seven consecutive days without a murder. City police data contradicts this, showing that as recently as July of this year, the capital had a week without a homicide. Several other periods in 2025 also saw stretches longer than seven days without a murder in D.C.
The accuracy of these claims is crucial, as they potentially justify federal intervention in local affairs. The selective use of data raises concerns about the motivation behind targeting specific cities and political leaders.
- Data from 2024 shows Republican mayors in cities with high homicide rates.
- Six states on the list are led by Republican governors.
- D.C. experienced a week without a homicide in July of this year.
This situation highlights the importance of verifying information and considering multiple perspectives when discussing complex issues like crime and urban governance.