Richard Hudson, Representative of North Carolina, said that public safety in Washington, D.C. has deteriorated and expressed approval of President Trump’s decision to declare a crime emergency. This statement was made on the social media platform X.
“I hear these concerns all the time from my colleagues and staff: crime in D.C. is out of control,” said Richard Lane Hudson, U.S. Representative from North Carolina. “Last year, our nation’s capital had a homicide rate nearly six times higher than New York City. Today, President Trump declared a crime emergency and is taking bold action to restore law and order. I salute him for looking out for our citizens.”
In 2025, President Trump declared a federal crime emergency in Washington, D.C., invoking Section 740 of the Home Rule Act. This action placed the D.C. Metropolitan Police under temporary federal control and authorized the deployment of the National Guard. According to Reuters, this statute allows such measures for up to 30 days without requiring congressional approval, marking an uncommon use of presidential authority over local law enforcement in the nation’s capital.
According to a 2025 White House executive order, Washington, D.C. had a homicide rate of 27.54 per 100,000 residents in 2024, which was the highest among U.S. states at that time. The city also reported a motor vehicle theft rate of 842.4 per 100,000—more than three times the national average—raising concerns about urban crime levels despite broader national declines.
As reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C., violent crime in the District declined by 35% in 2024 compared to the previous year, with homicides down by 32%, robberies down by 39%, and carjackings reduced by more than half. Data from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) indicated continued decreases into 2025, suggesting a broader reversal of post-pandemic crime trends that peaked in 2021.
According to Congress.gov, Hudson has represented North Carolina in Congress since 2013 and currently serves the state’s 9th District. He is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and is recognized for his work on public safety issues, veterans’ affairs, and gun rights advocacy. Hudson is also part of the Republican leadership team and chairs the National Republican Congressional Committee.
