Skip to main content
Press Release Published: Jun 30, 2022

Comer & Jordan: Democrat Defund the Police Policies Destroying Nation’s Capital

Call on Mayor Bowser to provide answers about plan to address surging crime in D.C.

WASHINGTON—House Committee on Oversight and Reform Ranking Member James Comer (R-Ky.) and House Committee on the Judiciary Ranking Member Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) today blasted District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser on D.C.’s soaring crime and deteriorating conditions. In a letter to Mayor Bowser, the Ranking Members outline how Democrat Defund the Police influence and soft-on-crime policies are leading to record violence and call for a briefing on Mayor Bowser’s plan to address this crisis.

“Democrat-run cities across the country are struggling under the progressive Democrat Defund the Police influence and soft-on-crime policies. Unfortunately, this trend is affecting the District of Columbia. Under your leadership, D.C. continues to face violence and destruction. While crime in 2022 surpasses even an abysmal 2021, Republicans on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform and House Committee on the Judiciary seek information about the increasingly dangerous state of D.C. and the D.C. government’s failure to quell criminal activity.  For over a year, Republicans have raised concerns about D.C.’s soaring crime and deteriorating conditions. The D.C. government, however, has ignored all requests for information. It is past time you take action to restore order to the nation’s capital,” wrote the Republican lawmakers.

In the District of Columbia, violent crime is up 11 percent compared to this time last year, including homicides increasing 21 percent and robberies jumping 31 percent.  Property crime, such as burglary and motor vehicle theft, is also on the rise since this time last year. Following an already dangerous 2021, which saw an increase in homicides by 14 percent over 2020, 2022 appears to be on track to be even worse. The Washington Post recently reported violence in the District has become so widespread that restaurant patrons and residents fear going out in D.C. and an activist even canceled an anti-violence event over fears of violence.

“Democrat elected officials’ continuing efforts to push failed policies that keep criminals on the streets shows a total disregard for their constituents’ safety. D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine has advocated “restorative justice to become ‘the default way of dealing with juveniles’—even for some of the most serious crimes, like murder.”  Despite serious concerns raised by the D.C. Police Union, D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen have pushed anti-police legislation drawn from Defund the Police talking points. While finally providing additional funding for police in your 2022 budget, the D.C. Council has allegedly cut millions of dollars of funding for additional police officers in D.C.  Meanwhile your office promotes committing millions of dollars to soft and ineffective policies like using ‘violence interrupters’ to mediate hypothetical crimes. This weak response will only ensure people visiting, living, or working in D.C. continue to be endangered,” continued the Republican lawmakers. “We again request that you provide the Republican staff of the Oversight Committee and Judiciary Committee a briefing to explain your plans to address the alarming rates of crime in the District of Columbia.”

 The letter to Mayor Bowser can be found here.