In a bold display of confidence, President Donald Trump dined at Joe’s Stone Crab in downtown Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, just blocks from the White House, to spotlight what he describes as a dramatic turnaround in the city’s safety.
According to The Hill, Trump’s visit to the restaurant, accompanied by key administration figures, comes nearly a month after he deployed National Guard troops to the capital on Aug. 11, aiming to underscore his administration’s success in curbing crime.
The decision to federalize the National Guard last month marked a significant step in Trump’s push to address crime in the nation’s capital. On Aug. 11, the president authorized these troops to patrol D.C. streets, working alongside local authorities to restore order. Since then, the White House reports substantial progress in reducing criminal activity across the city.
According to official figures, a total of 2,177 arrests have been made in D.C. as of Tuesday. Among those detained, 20 were identified as known gang members, signaling targeted efforts against organized crime. Additionally, authorities have seized 222 firearms during these operations, aiming to reduce the presence of illegal weapons.
Beyond arrests, the crackdown has led to other notable outcomes, including the rescue of seven missing children in the city. Efforts to address visible urban issues have also resulted in the clearing of 50 homeless encampments throughout D.C. These actions reflect a broader strategy to improve safety and living conditions in the capital.
On Monday night alone, law enforcement made 57 arrests in D.C., with 14 involving migrants, many of whom reportedly have prior criminal records. During the same night, eight firearms were confiscated, adding to the tally of weapons taken off the streets. More than 3,200 federal agents from 22 different agencies participated in these patrols, demonstrating a massive coordinated effort.
During his Tuesday outing, Trump expressed pride in the transformation he believes has occurred in D.C. “We’re standing right in the middle of D.C., which, as you know about over the last year, was a very unsafe place. Over the last 20 years it was very unsafe and now it’s got virtually no crime. We call it crime-free,” he declared. “Here I am standing out in the middle of the street. I wouldn’t have done this three months ago, four months ago, I certainly wouldn’t have done it a year ago,” Trump added.
“This was one of the most unsafe cities in the country. Now it’s as safe as there is in the country. Everybody should go out,” he continued, encouraging residents and visitors to feel secure. Trump also praised the collaboration between federal and local forces in achieving these results. “The National Guard, they’re working with the mayor and the chief and we all work together and the outcome is really spectacular, we have a capital that’s very, very safe,” he stated.
Joining Trump for the meal at Joe’s Stone Crab were Vice President Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The choice of a public venue so close to the White House served as a symbolic gesture of the administration’s faith in its security measures. Last month, Trump had already claimed that dining out in D.C. was safe again, pointing to crowded eateries as evidence of public confidence.
However, data from that time suggested a decline in restaurant attendance, possibly due to the heavy police presence during the initial takeover. Despite this, Trump’s latest appearance aimed to counter any lingering doubts about the city’s appeal to diners and tourists. The president’s message was clear: Washington, D.C., is open for business and safer than ever.
Looking ahead, Trump hinted at expanding similar federal interventions to other urban areas struggling with crime. He revealed plans to announce a new target city as early as Wednesday, noting that the governor and mayor of the chosen location have requested assistance. Chicago and New Orleans are among the cities under consideration for this next phase of crime reduction efforts.
The deployment of the National Guard in D.C. has been a cornerstone of Trump’s strategy to address safety concerns in the capital. By federalizing these troops, the administration sought to bolster local law enforcement and create a visible deterrent to criminal activity. Their presence, combined with that of federal agents, has been credited with the significant number of arrests and seizures reported.
While the crackdown has yielded measurable results, the administration faces the challenge of balancing heightened security with normalcy for D.C. residents. Clearing encampments and conducting large-scale arrests have sparked discussions about the long-term impact on communities. Nevertheless, Trump’s public dinner sought to project an image of a city reborn under his leadership.
The outcomes in Washington, D.C., could serve as a blueprint for other cities if Trump moves forward with his expansion plans. The focus on removing firearms and targeting gang activity may shape future federal interventions elsewhere. For now, the president remains focused on showcasing the capital as a success story in his broader agenda to tackle urban crime.