Fact check: What were the crime rates in Washington DC before and after the National Guard deployment in 2025?

1. Summary of the results

The analyses provided show a decrease in crime rates in Washington D.C. after the National Guard deployment in 2025, with violent crime dropping by 17% and property crime dropping by 18% in the 30 days following the deployment, according to ^[1] and ^[5]. Another source, ^[2], reports a 10% drop in violent crime and a 25% drop in property crime in the first three weeks of the deployment. Additionally, ^[7] reports a 27% decrease in violent crime and a 5% decrease in property crime in Washington D.C. as of August 28, 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. However, it is essential to consider that crime rates can be cyclical and affected by many factors, as noted by ^[5]. The deployment of the National Guard has also come at a significant cost, estimated to be around $1 million per day, as reported by ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

A crucial aspect to consider is the pre-deployment crime trend, as ^[1] notes that crime was already on a downward trend before the National Guard deployment. Furthermore, ^[2] highlights that the decline in crime is not limited to wealthy or tourist areas, but also affects marginalized communities. The perception of crime can differ from the reality, as noted by ^[8], which emphasizes the importance of interpreting crime data accurately. Additionally, the cost and effectiveness of the National Guard deployment are subjects of debate, with ^[3] reporting that the troops have not seen 'emergency' levels of crime, but their presence has freed up local law enforcement to focus on more crime-ridden areas. The White House's perspective on crime in Washington D.C. is presented by ^[9], but this claim is disputed by other sources and experts. It is also important to consider the public opinion on the matter, as discussed by ^[4], which notes that there are divisions over the impact on crime and rights.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be misleading as it does not provide context about the pre-deployment crime trend, which is essential to understanding the impact of the National Guard deployment, as noted by ^[1]. Additionally, the statement does not consider the various factors that can affect crime rates, as mentioned by ^[5]. The cost and effectiveness of the deployment are also not taken into account, which could be seen as a bias towards presenting a positive outcome, as reported by ^[3]. The White House's perspective on crime in Washington D.C., as presented by ^[9], may also be biased, as it is disputed by other sources and experts. Overall, it is crucial to consider multiple viewpoints and context when evaluating the impact of the National Guard deployment on crime rates in Washington D.C. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]}.