Federal task force reports major arrest milestone
President Donald Trump’s Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force has now made more than 10,000 arrests since launching in August 2025. According to figures shared with News , officers have also taken more than 1,000 illegal guns off the streets of Washington, D.C.
As of this week, the task force recorded 10,018 arrests and recovered 1,036 unlawful firearms. Officials say the effort marks one of the largest federal crime surges in the capital in recent history.
Multiagency operation targets violent crime
The initiative brings together 3,100 personnel from 28 agencies. It includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service and the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia.
Trump signed the executive order creating the task force in March 2025. Gadyaces S. Serralta leads the operation. Since August, officers have conducted coordinated sweeps across the city to address shootings, carjackings and gang activity.
Officials report sharp crime declines. Murders have dropped by 68 percent compared to the same period last year. Robberies fell 47 percent, while sexual abuse cases declined 64 percent. Overall violent crime decreased by 31 percent.
In addition, authorities located 19 missing children during enforcement efforts.
DOJ credits aggressive strategy
Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the results, saying the administration chose public safety over tolerance of crime. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated that the “era of unchecked violence is over,” pointing to lower homicide numbers and faster prosecutions.
Arrests include 28 homicide suspects, 1,693 narcotics cases, 874 weapons offenses, 34 sex offense arrests and 52 alleged gang members.
Among the most high profile cases was the arrest of three teenagers accused of killing congressional intern Eric Tarpinian Jachym near the D.C. Convention Center in June 2025. Investigators say the victim was struck by a stray bullet.
Authorities also arrested two teenagers in connection with an attempted carjacking and assault involving a former government staffer.
Political backlash and continued push
Some Democrats criticized the federal surge. Jamie Raskin and Chris Van Hollen argued that federalizing local policing undermines D.C. self governance. Van Hollen described the move as a power grab.
Still, task force leaders say the results speak for themselves. Serralta called the 10,000th arrest a major achievement but added that the mission will continue.
Recent arrests also include individuals wanted for murder, child exploitation charges and illegal weapons possession. In one case, a suspect fled into Maryland before officers apprehended him.
Officials insist the crackdown will not slow down. They say the goal remains clear: reduce violence and restore safety in the nation’s capital.
