Trump Rails About Youth Crime, a Focus of D.C. Leaders for Decades

The New York Times ^ | Aug. 15, 2025, 1:12 p.m. ET | Campbell Robertson and Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Concerns came to a head during the pandemic, when carjackings surged and many of those arrested were children. Carjackings and other crimes have declined considerably.

The arrest of two 15-year-olds after a government worker was attacked last week on a Washington, D.C., street was going to attract attention in a city where violent crimes committed by young people have long gripped the public consciousness.

But the man who was assaulted in what he said was an attempted carjacking was not just any government worker — he was a high-profile Trump administration employee. And in the days that followed, the president lashed out, claiming the city was overrun by “roving mobs of wild youth” and renewing his threats to take over the city.

On Monday, President Trump announced he was placing the District of Columbia’s police department under federal control and sending in the National Guard, as he and his top prosecutor for the city declared they were fed up with what they say is rampant lawlessness among young people in the city.

“I see too much violent crime being committed by young punks who think that they can get together in gangs and crews and beat the hell out of you or anyone else,” said Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia.

Crime committed by teenagers has for decades been a focus of the city’s leaders — and often a point of political tension. Calls to take a tougher line on juvenile crime run up against efforts to address the extreme poverty and other entrenched socioeconomic problems that many experts say underlie youth crime.

Concerns about youth crime came to a head during the pandemic, when the number of carjackings soared in Washington, D.C., and in cities across the country. Most of those arrested, to...

[MrRelevant]

Talk is cheap…. Trump is a man of action.

[Texas Eagle]

Rails. Eff you NYTwits. Trump doesn't rail. Corey Booker rails. Hakeem Jeffries rails. Fauxcahontas rails. SOL rails. Actually, she spews chunks, but....

Trump speaks.

[Vaduz]

Wonder how many of the roving mobs of wild youths are in a single parent home or careless parents?.

Mother: wait until your fater gets home

Kid: who’s that?

[ckilmer]

The next question is this? In the highest crime neighborhoods—what percent of the income of residents comes from various welfare programs.

My guess is that its huge. That it can fairly be said that the federal government is creating the crime problem with federal dollars.

[spintreebob]

NYT focused on “extreme poverty”. One could focus on lack of traditional family. One could focus on church, little league, etc that have structure and expected rules of behavior and measures of prestige and success.

But no. Extreme poverty is to blame?

[MinorityRepublican]

The Feds should have kept control of the capital city the whole time.

The Constitution was specific that it is the responsibility of Congress to be in charge. We know that they don't want the responsibility so now is a good time for them to pass a bill so the President can appoint an administrator.

DC can continue to vote for their mayor if they want but it'll be a ceremonial role.

[yelostar]

If they lower the age of responsibility to say, 14, then the age of consent will be lowered also.

The people in DC who want access to minors for sexual purposes are desperately waiting for this to happen.

I hope they don't lower the age.

[Chewbarkah]

What I get from the article is that for many years local officials have done nothing to stop the youth crime problem. They have had their chance.

But police are only part of the solution. The offenders must be punished and forced to serve long custodial sentences, during which they should be required to finish high school and learn a trade. I doubt DC judges will do what is required.

[jonrick46]

I wonder how many of these feral kid are on drugs that alter the mind’s decision making functions?

[jonrick46]

I noticed that your comment is totally lacking the addictive drug problem. Why that omission?

[Chewbarkah]

Well, I’m insensitive that way.

How do you see the addictive drug problem entering into the situation?