Arizona political figure Kari Lake praised President Donald Trump's crime policies during a recent visit to Washington, D.C., saying federal enforcement has created noticeable safety improvements in the nation's capital.
Kari Lake described her experience walking through D.C. as dramatically different under the current administration's approach to law enforcement.
"The feeling of walking through Washington, D.C., since [President Donald Trump] cracked down on crime is almost indescribable. You just feel safe," Lake stated during her visit.
Federal vs. Local Crime Response
Lake compared federal action with what she considers to be ineffective local law enforcement from previous administration efforts.
"Every American across this country deserves to be able to walk the streets & not have to worry about becoming a victim of crime," she said, adding that Trump fills gaps "where Democrats refuse to enforce the law, including my beloved Arizona."
Since the deployment orders, many people in Washington, D.C. have described the city as having serious crime problems for years that called for government assistance.
Crime Statistics Present
Police data from Washington, D.C., reveals differences in crime over the past few years. According to current year-to-date data until August 2025:
Reduced Violent Crime:
- Homicides are 15% lower than in 2024.
- Cases of sexual assault decreased by 48%.
- Armed attacks decreased by 19%.
- Robberies decreased by 31%.
- Violent crime fell 27% overall.
- 22% fewer burglaries.
- Car theft dropped by 3%.
Historical Context
Officials in D.C. highlight longer-term trends in crime reduction, pointing out that several categories are still at historically low levels when compared to earlier decades.
From the date above, over the past 20 years, the number of homicides has changed dramatically, reaching a peak of 274 in 2023 before dropping to 187 in 2024. For the current year, further declines are expected.
Lake's Stance
"I think every city, taxpayers, and citizens should be able to walk at night, should be able to walk during the day, and not have to worry about being raped, robbed, or murdered by thugs that are out on the streets," Lake expressed.
