After Dismissing DC Crime, Baker Complains Trump Isn't Fixing It

Six days after declaring the crime crisis in Washington, D.C., was ‘nonexistent,’ The New York Times’ Chief White House Correspondent Peter Baker is now criticizing President Donald Trump for not addressing crime in the city.

On August 11, Trump announced his administration’s intention to regain control of the District of Columbia, citing long-standing government failures. He invoked Section 740 of the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act, which grants his administration authority over the city’s police department. Trump also declared a public safety emergency and directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to deploy the D.C. National Guard to assist in crime-fighting efforts.

Baker, who previously dismissed the crime situation, took to social media to express his disapproval of Trump’s actions. He stated, ‘Citing a nonexistent crime crisis, Trump plans to take over the Washington DC police and put troops in the streets of the nation’s capital. Contrary to his claims, violent crime in DC is at a 30-year low.’

However, data indicates that Washington, D.C., is experiencing significant violent crime issues, with over 1,600 violent crimes reported in 2025 alone and approximately 16,000 total crimes. The White House noted that carjackings in the city are more than three times the national average, with a staggering 547 percent increase in such incidents from 2018 to 2023, according to White House Policy Communications Director Jacki Kotkiewicz.

Allegations of manipulated crime statistics have also emerged. D.C. Police Union Chairman Gregg Pemberton informed NBC Washington that officers responding to felony offenses are often directed by superiors to report lesser offenses instead. ‘So, instead of taking a report for a shooting or a stabbing or a carjacking, they will order that officer to take a report for a theft or an injured person to the hospital or a felony assault, which is not the same type of classification,’ Pemberton said.

Additionally, Metro Police Department Commander Michael Pulliam was suspended in May for allegedly altering crime statistics in his district, and he is currently under investigation.

Baker later acknowledged the reality of crime in D.C. but attempted to shift the blame onto Trump, stating, ‘The [Washington Post] tracked where Trump’s forces are patrolling in Washington. Spoiler alert: They’re not where the crime is.’ This shift in narrative has drawn criticism, as Baker went from claiming D.C. crime was ‘nonexistent’ to chastising Trump for not doing enough to address it.

This situation highlights the ongoing debate over crime in Washington, D.C., and the contrasting perspectives on how to effectively manage public safety. As the Trump administration implements measures to combat crime, the response from media figures like Baker continues to evolve, reflecting the complexities of the current political landscape.