Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department, stated in a post on X that a “malodorous” individual unsuccessfully tried to steal her phone in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.
“A malodorous homeless individual attempted to take my phone today while I was walking in D.C. back to the DOJ from an appointment — but he was not in his right mind, and I skillfully evaded the attempt. It will take some time before this city feels safe, so everyone should remain vigilant!” Dhillon wrote.
In another post, she mentioned that she was “okay,” and that “nothing happened.”
“I was quicker than the homeless man. It occurred next to the NY Ave Presbyterian Church. There were several other homeless and mentally unstable individuals nearby. Close to the White House and tourist attractions,” Dhillon elaborated.
President Donald Trump is ramping up his initiatives to tackle crime in the nation’s capital.
“This is liberation day in D.C., and we are going to reclaim our capital,” Trump proclaimed during a press conference on Monday.
A memorandum instructs “the Secretary of Defense to mobilize the District of Columbia National Guard and order members to active duty, in such numbers as he considers necessary, to address the crime epidemic in our Nation’s capital.”
An executive order states that “Effective immediately, the Mayor of the District of Columbia (Mayor) shall provide the services of the Metropolitan Police force for Federal purposes for the maximum duration allowed under section 740 of the Home Rule Act.”
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Statistics indicate that the capital of the nation is suffering from violent crime in comparison to other metropolitan areas across the country.
During a press conference on Monday, Trump declared his plan to send National Guard troops to patrol the city’s streets while taking control of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to enhance safety and address violence.
“You can aspire to be anything, but safety in the streets is essential,” Trump remarked. “You should be able to exit your apartment or home and feel secure while going to a store to purchase a newspaper or any item, which is not the case currently.”
This measure is a reaction to the fact that the capital has “averaged one of the highest robbery and murder rates among major cities in the country,” as stated in an executive order titled “Declaring a Crime Emergency in the District of Columbia.”
“In fact, the District of Columbia now experiences a higher rate of violent crime, murder, and robbery than all 50 states, with a homicide rate in 2024 of 27.54 per 100,000 residents,” the order specifies.
“The recent surge of federal law enforcement personnel throughout Washington, D.C., has already curtailed the activities of dangerous criminals, the spread of lethal narcotics, and the violent use of stolen firearms,” a White House representative stated in a communication to Fox News.
“President Trump’s courageous leadership and prompt actions will restore beauty and safety to our nation’s capital for both its residents and visitors from around the globe. The president’s initiatives to combat crime are highly favored by everyday Americans.”
Trump intends to intensify efforts against crime in Washington, D.C., by deploying federal law enforcement to patrol the area; however, data indicates that the capital suffers from high levels of violent crime in comparison to other metropolitan areas across the nation.
During a press conference on Monday, Trump revealed his plan to send National Guard troops to the streets of the city while taking control of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to enhance safety and address violence.
“This is when the federal government intervenes, and they assess a police department,” Porcher stated in an interview with Fox News Digital. “They will provide a series of recommendations based on the shortcomings of the police department.”
Porcher emphasized the potential for federal law enforcement to work alongside local officials in cities plagued by crime to improve the department’s approach to violence.
“A significant aspect would be the establishment of task forces,” Porcher explained. “Thus, the federal agencies can dispatch a number of FBI, DEA, or ATF agents to a specific city, integrating them into a task force that collaborates with local police departments. The combined resources from both the city and federal government would focus on addressing the rampant crimes occurring in that area, including homicides, robberies, or burglaries.