The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated a formal investigation into whether police officials in Washington, D.C., manipulated crime data to create the impression of a safer nation’s capital.
The probe focuses on Metropolitan Police Department Commander Michael Pulliam, who has been on paid administrative leave since mid-May. The leave happened about a week after Pulliam filed an equal employment opportunity complaint against Executive Assistant Chief of Police Andre Wright. During this same time, the police union alleged that the department intentionally manipulated crime statistics, according to three law enforcement sources who are knowledgeable about the complaint.
The timing raised questions about whether the data manipulation claims are linked to internal disputes within the department.
Trump highlighted the controversy during recent remarks.
“D.C. gave Fake Crime numbers in order to create a false illusion of safety. This is a very bad and dangerous thing to do, and they are under serious investigation for so doing! Until 4 days ago, Washington, D.C., was the most unsafe “city” in the United States, and perhaps the World. Now, in just a short period of time, it is perhaps the safest, and getting better every single hour! People are flocking to D.C. again, and soon, the beautification will begin!” Trump posted to Truth Social on August 18.
The investigation comes as federal officials take a more active role in overseeing law enforcement in the capital, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. They have increasingly stepped in to manage local policing decisions, citing concerns about the city’s ability to maintain public safety on its own.