Washington, D.C. – Democracy Forward President & CEO Skye Perryman issued the following statement following President Trump’s assertion that he is temporarily taking control of the District of Columbia’s police department and deploying 800 National Guard troops despite historic lows in violent crime throughout the city:

“At his press conference today, President Trump lied about the people and communities who live in the District of Columbia. The District is a vibrant city with a rich history, and strong and diverse communities. Recent data shows that violent crime in DC is at a 30-year low.

“This latest attempt by the president to distract the public from his failure to make Americans’ lives better and his handling of the Epstein controversy threatens not only those who live in DC, but all Americans. The President is again overreaching and engaging in draconian tactics that do not make anyone safer and threaten the civil liberties and freedom of the American people. If this can happen in one city, it can happen in any city or community.

“Our team is monitoring this situation and considering legal options. We will support all actions to protect people’s rights in the District and across the nation.”

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Democracy Forward Foundation is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.