8 in 10 Washington, DC Residents Oppose Trump’s Control Over Police Department and Feel Less Safe

A new Washington Post-Schar School poll reveals that approximately 8 out of 10 Washington, D.C., residents are opposed to President Donald Trump’s order to assume control of the city’s police department and his subsequent deployment of the National Guard and FBI for patrolling purposes.

Notably, over half of the city’s inhabitants have reported an increase in federal presence and 61% of those individuals feel less secure as a consequence of the president’s actions. These figures contradict the assertions made by Trump and top administration officials regarding the impact of the federal takeover.

The survey indicates that 79% of D.C. residents oppose Trump’s order, with only 17% in support. Of this opposition, 69% express strong disapproval.

Respondents believe that various measures would be more effective in reducing violent crime within the city. These include increased economic opportunities in disadvantaged neighborhoods (77%), stricter national gun laws (70%), an increased number of Metropolitan Police officers patrolling communities (63%), and utilizing outreach workers to resolve disputes (57%).

Trump, who garnered less than 7% of the city’s vote in last year’s presidential election, continues to maintain unpopularity within the District, with his overall approval rating standing at a mere 15%.

The poll also suggests a shift in D.C. residents’ attitudes toward crime since spring, possibly reflecting changes in the political context of the question. Currently, only 31% describe crime as an extremely or very serious problem in the District (compared to 50% earlier), while 54% believe that the city’s crime problem is improving (up from 29%).

Among the 35% of residents who have been victims of crime within the past five years, support for Trump’s actions stands at 34%, compared to 8% among those with no recent crime-related experiences.

Half of the respondents believe that Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser should take a more active stance against Trump, with 30% considering her handling adequate and 12% advocating for greater support. Additionally, a 71% majority opine that DC police should not contribute significantly or at all to the deportation of undocumented immigrants residing in the city. Local police officers have been observed collaborating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement checkpoints over the past week.

Bowser’s rating remains steady at 53%, unchanged from a May survey, with 54% expressing satisfaction with DC police performance.

The Washington Post-Schar School poll was conducted between August 14th and 17th, surveying 604 D.C. residents through both live phone interviews and online surveys. The results for the entire sample carry a margin of error of +/- 4.1 percentage points.