Washington, DC — Law enforcement officials in the nation’s capital have made more than 1,000 arrests and seized over 100 illegal firearms in just under two weeks, as part of what’s being called a sweeping federal-local crackdown on crime backed by the Trump administration.
On Sunday night alone, 86 individuals were arrested and 10 illegal guns were taken off the streets, according to former judge and current federal prosecutor Jeanine Pirro, who gave a detailed update Monday morning. The running total since the launch of the operation now stands at 1,007 arrests and 111 firearms recovered.
The effort comes under the banner of what Trump officials are calling the “Surge,” a multi-agency initiative aimed at reasserting law and order in the District of Columbia — which has faced a sharp increase in violent crime over the past several years.
Pirro emphasized that, despite the city having recorded 101 homicides so far this year, Washington has now seen 12 consecutive days without a single killing — a streak she called “really big” during her remarks. The operation has focused heavily on gun recovery and high-impact arrests, targeting repeat offenders and known gang affiliates.
While critics have questioned the sustainability of federally directed crime enforcement in a predominantly local jurisdiction, officials working within the operation insist that the recent pause in homicides shows clear evidence that aggressive law enforcement is having an immediate effect.
The push has included enhanced collaboration between federal prosecutors, U.S. Marshals, and the Metropolitan Police Department, with federal authorities reportedly handling key gun and drug cases to ensure longer sentences. Pirro confirmed that her office is prioritizing prosecution of those arrested, saying, “We’re putting together the best cases we can to bring those into court.”
The “Surge” has become a signature part of President Trump’s current focus on urban safety, with administration officials promising to replicate the approach in other major U.S. cities.
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Key Points
- DC’s ongoing crime crackdown has led to 1,007 arrests and 111 illegal firearms recovered
- The city has now gone 12 consecutive days without a homicide
- The effort is part of a Trump-led federal initiative to restore safety through aggressive policing
A dozen days without murder marks a sharp shift as arrests and gun seizures surge in DC