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By Robert Birsel and Anna Commander
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Republican U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma said he does not "buckle up" when driving in the nation's capital for fears of carjackings and his hindered response time if caught in one.
Why It Matters
President Donald Trump's move to federalize Washington, D.C., represents one of the most aggressive uses of federal authority over local law enforcement in recent memory and raised questions on the balance between local control and federal emergency powers in the district.
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Trump cited the District of Columbia's Home Rule Act in the enabling of federal control for a limited period.
In a news conference addressing the administration's decision, district Mayor Muriel Bowser said in part that she believes Trump's view of D.C. was shaped during his first term in office, during and post-COVID, noting the spike in crime during the period.
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What To Know
While speaking with Fox News on D.C. crime, Mullin said that "If you look at car theft only … if Washington, D.C., was a state, Washington, D.C., would be three times higher than any other state. And we're talking about a city. And we're comparing it to full states."
"And by the way, I'm not joking when I say this. I drive around in Washington, D.C., in my jeep and, yes, I do drive myself," the Oklahoma lawmaker continued. "And I don't buckle up. And the reason why I don't buckle up, and people can say whatever they want to, they can raise their eyebrows at me, again, is because of carjacking."
Mullin added: "I don't wanna be stuck in my vehicle when I need to exit in a hurry because I got a seat belt around me. And … I wear my seat belt all the time, but in Washington, D.C., I do not because it is so prevalent of carjacking. … And I don't want the same thing to happen to me what's happened to a lot of people that work on The Hill."
The use of seat belts in Washington is mandatory for drivers and passengers, with a $50 fine for violators.
Carjacking has been a serious problem in the city in recent years, which Trump referred to on August 11 when declaring a "crime emergency." But he did not mention a recent decline in cases.
The number of carjacking offences rose from 2020 to 2023 before beginning to fall in 2024. This year, there have been 189 carjackings compared with 306 in the same time period in 2024, according to data from Washington's Metropolitan Police Department.
A Newsweek analysis of local and federal data also found that reported violent crime in 2024 had hit a 30-year low in the district.
Trump also discussed D.C.'s crime record in comparison to other states on Wednesday night on Truth Social, saying in part, "If D.C. were a State, it would have the highest Homicide Rate of any State in America. The Violent Crime Rate in D.C. has worsened, and the Murder Rate has essentially DOUBLED in just over a decade—But these are only the 'official' statistics released by corrupt City Officials."
Recent incidents of crime have brought national attention, including the late-night attack on a Washington street on Edward "Big Balls" Coristine, a former employee of the Department of Government Efficiency, when he tried to stop an attempted carjacking, police said.
What People Are Saying
Bowser posted to X on Monday: "Washington, DC is a beautiful city. DC is home to 700K people and welcomes millions every year. We have the #1 park system, fantastic public schools, and a tremendous public transportation system. And we are at a 30-year low in violent crime. It's important for all who live here and visit to know how beautiful our city is and how proud we are of all that we've accomplished."
Trump told the media on August 11: "The number of car thefts has doubled over the past five years, and the number of carjackings has more than tripled."
Jeff Asher, a co-Founder of AH Datalytics, wrote in an August 11 report on crime in Washington: "Carjackings increased in 2020 and then nearly doubled in 2023 before peaking and firmly declining since the start of 2024. Carjackings are still reported more frequently now than they were before COVID, but there has been a consistent drop for more than 18 months."
What Happens Next
It is unclear how long Trump's drive to eradicate crime in the capital will last. Under current law, he can take over the D.C. police force for up to 30 days. The National Guard deployment is set to last until at least September 25, unless they are released earlier, according to a leaked memo obtained by journalist Ken Klippenstein.
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