WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Justice Department has launched a comprehensive criminal investigation into whether Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) deliberately falsified crime statistics to present a misleadingly lower crime rate. This major development comes amidst a heightened political dispute between the Trump administration and the city government over the control of the capital’s law enforcement, igniting a fierce debate over public safety and accountability.
The probe, overseen by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office for D.C., is expected to scrutinize the actions of multiple police officials and could potentially lead to charges of fraud, obstruction, or making false statements related to federal data. This federal inquiry gained public prominence when President Donald Trump himself confirmed its existence via social media, accusing D.C. of producing “Fake Crime numbers in order to create a false illusion of safety.”
Background to the Allegations
The roots of this investigation trace back to serious allegations of data manipulation within the MPD. In mid-May, Commander Michael Pulliam, who led the 3rd District, was placed on paid administrative leave following reports he allegedly altered crime statistics in his area. While Pulliam has denied wrongdoing, the D.C. Police Union, led by Chairman Gregg Pemberton, has voiced concerns about a more pervasive issue. Pemberton claims that
