Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon reported an attempted phone theft by a homeless individual in Washington, D.C. In a post on X, Dhillon described the suspect as “malodorous” and mentally unstable, but said she dodged the attempt and was unharmed. The incident occurred near the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, close to the White House and tourist areas.

Dhillon’s experience comes amid renewed focus on crime in the nation’s capital. Former President Donald Trump has declared a “crime emergency” in Washington, D.C., vowing to restore safety through federal intervention. He announced plans to mobilize the National Guard and take temporary control of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

Trump issued a memorandum instructing the Secretary of Defense to activate the D.C. National Guard to address the city’s escalating crime problem. An executive order also compels the D.C. Mayor to allocate police resources to federal duties under the Home Rule Act. Trump emphasized public safety as a basic right, saying citizens must feel safe leaving their homes.

According to the executive order, Washington, D.C. has higher rates of violent crime, murder, and robbery than any U.S. state. The city’s 2024 homicide rate stands at 27.54 per 100,000 residents. The White House claims that an increase in federal law enforcement presence has already curbed some criminal activity.

Trump’s administration says this approach has broad public support and aligns with his promise to make the capital “beautiful and safe again.” A White House spokesperson said federal officers are already disrupting criminal activity, including drug trafficking and gun violence.

Experts like Dr. Darrin Porcher note that federal-local partnerships are essential for crime reduction. He said that joint task forces combining federal agents with city police could target crimes such as homicide, robbery, and burglary more effectively than local efforts alone.