Amidst a notable increase in violent incidents in Washington, D.C., the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, now Brady: United Against Gun Violence, has voiced strong opposition to President Donald Trump’s federal crime initiative. The city's local leaders, law enforcement, and business representatives have repeatedly expressed grave concerns about the rising threats to residents and commercial districts.
On Monday, Brady President Kris Brown released a statement claiming that federal intervention in D.C.'s crime situation is unnecessary. Brown cited a decrease in violent crime, asserting that "has fallen precipitously since 2023 and were at a 30-year low the day the president returned to the Oval Office.” The organization attributed this decline to policies implemented during the Biden administration.
However, independent sources highlight a contradiction between Brady's portrayal and the available crime data. Notably, D.C.'s murder rate is still among the highest in the Western Hemisphere. This discrepancy draws attention to the ongoing debate between perceptions of safety and the stark reality of crime statistics.
Brown also raised concerns about the potential dangers of federalized policing, especially to minority communities. "We cannot allow the president to suggest that federalized police is an appropriate response to any and all challenges; or that federalized police do not further endanger the public,” he stated.
The group’s stance has emerged amid increasing worries from D.C. residents and businesses. As of 2025, the capital has recorded at least 99 murders, a number that starkly contrasts the isolated incident of the Jan. 6 riot death of Ashli Babbitt. Last year, a consortium of city-based businesses penned a letter to Mayor Muriel Bowser, highlighting "D.C. is quickly becoming a national outlier in rising crime, and the trends are alarming."
These concerns were echoed by D.C. Police Union Chairman Gregg Pemberton during a recent Fox News appearance. "We stand with the President in recognizing that Washington, D.C., cannot continue on this trajectory," he remarked, pointing out the overwhelming challenges faced by local law enforcement.
The Brady Campaign has also faced criticism for its broad opposition to civilian self-defense measures. It has claimed that firearms "are rarely used successfully in self-defense," a statement that is contested by research from criminologist Gary Kleck. Kleck's studies suggest that firearms are deployed in defense of life and property over 760,000 times annually.
This debate is part of a broader discussion over public safety strategies in the nation's capital. While Brady advocates for stricter gun control and questions federal police intervention, other stakeholders call for more proactive enforcement to tackle the pervasive violent crime affecting everyone from residents to visitors.
The challenge of aligning gun control policy with the public safety needs of D.C. persists. Crime rates in the city surpass those in many other major urban areas globally. Officials and citizens continue to demand comprehensive strategies to curb violence and rebuild confidence in the city's safety infrastructure.
