DC Crime Drops as Experts Say National Guard’s Impact Remains Unclear

Violent crime in Washington recently hit a 30-year low, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
DC Crime Drops as Experts Say National Guard’s Impact Remains Unclear
Members of the National Guard armed with rifles patrol Constitution Avenue in Washington, on Aug. 26, 2025. Win McNamee/Getty Images
|Updated:
0:00

The months following the National Guard’s deployment to Washington have seen a precipitous drop in crime, but experts say it’s unclear how much of the decline can be attributed to the federal troops’ recent presence.

On Jan. 3, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s office announced that violent crime in Washington was at a 30-year low.