National Guard in DC Reduced Theft, But Not Violent Crime

President Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C. did not significantly reduce violent crime despite administration officials saying it did, a study from a policy think tank found. Outlets on the left framed the National Guard's presence as wasteful spending, while right outlets focused on other improvements to the city since Trump took office, such as a drop in theft.

The Details: The report, produced by the Niskanen Center, found that though opportunistic crime declined by 24%, violent crime was not largely affected by the Guard's presence. The study noted that violent crimes, including robberies, were already declining before Trump deployed the Guard. The Niskanen Center "promotes policies that advance prosperity, opportunity, and human flourishing, guided by the belief that a free market and an effective government are mutually dependent," according to its About page.

Why Wasn't It Effective? Axios (Lean Left bias) reported that researchers theorized this is because the Guard was deployed largely in tourist areas where opportunistic crimes, such as property and auto theft, are more common and more easily deterred by the visible presence of law enforcement. However, the Guard was not largely deployed to areas with higher rates of violence and poverty.

What Did It Cost? The Hill (Center) cited the report's findings that a National Guard member costs $607 per day, while a D.C. police officer costs $384 per day. According to the report, "the $185 million spent on the Guard over five months could instead fund more than 1,300 additional officer-years or, equivalently, more than 3,100 officers for five months." Ultimately, the Niskanen Center's report found that "the National Guard deployment was not a waste. It produced a significant reduction in property crime… But it was an expensive tool deployed in the wrong places for the wrong types of crime, at a daily cost per person 60 percent higher than an MPD [Metropolitan Police Department] officer."

Other Improvements to the City: Outlets on the right didn't offer much coverage on this story. However, Townhall (Right) reported that "President Trump Has Made Washington DC Beautiful Again," highlighting repairs to city fountains, cleaned statues, graffiti removals, and other improvements. It cited an X post from the White House, saying, "In just 14 months, @POTUS has restored our nation's capital, making it SAFE & BEAUTIFUL. 500+ instances of graffiti cleaned, 153 homeless encampments removed, 22 fountains restored, 28 statues cleaned, & more." Townhall also wrote that the city has "experienced the longest murder-free stretch in its history."

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