Washington, D.C

Transportation secretary pens letters to DC Mayor, WMATA, Amtrak asking for safety improvements

Published

10 months ago

March 6, 2025

Transportation secretary pens letters to DC Mayor, WMATA, Amtrak asking for safety improvements

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Sean Duffy, US secretary of transportation, during an executive order signing in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. The Trump administration is laying off 1,300 employees at the Centers for Disease Con

WASHINGTON – The Trump Administration is urging D.C. leaders to focus on safety and security with the city’s transportation systems, saying changes are necessary to “restore greatness to our nation’s capital.”

On Thursday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy sent letters to D.C. officials, including Mayor Muriel Bowser, Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner and WMATA CEO Randy Clarke saying the District’s leaders need to focus on reducing crime, making roads safer and improving passenger security on public transportation.

“The president has called for people to return to office and it is critical we ensure workers’ safety during their daily commute,” Duffy’s said.

To WMATA

In the letter to Clarke, the transportation secretary said he wants WMATA to reduce fare evasion, lower crime on metro buses and trains, to ensure people using public transit feel safe.

READ MORE: Teens rob man of Canada Goose jacket on Metro train

There have been some violent incidents on the Metro recently. Last month, a disturbing video showed teens robbing a man of his coat on a train. Metro Transit Police have arrested the suspects but the incident has caused concern among some Metro riders, who were shocked to see the brazen theft.

To Bowser

Writing to Mayor Bowser, Duffy expressed concerns about road safety, wanting to make sure traffic signs, signals and pavement markings are used to warn or guide pedestrians and vehicles — not for other forms of expression.

This week, Bowser announced that the bold yellow “Black Lives Matter Plaza” mural near the White House will be changed, a move some believe is an attempt to appease the Trump administration amid the president’s ongoing threats to “take over” D.C.

READ MORE: Black Lives Matter Plaza to be redesigned as part of new DC mural project

Bowser’s announcement also came after Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) introduced H.R. 1774, a bill that seeks to remove the “Black Lives Matter” phrase from the plaza. If passed, the bill would withhold federal funding from D.C. unless the mayor removes it and redesignates the area as “Liberty Plaza.”

To Amtrak

In a separate letter to Amtrak’s CEO Stephen Gardner, Duffy is called on Amtrak to prevent crime and improve its management of Union Station.

About three weeks ago, Police Chief Pamela Smith told FOX 5 that a fatal shooting happened in the “Union Station parking garage, in the back of Union Station” during the busy evening commute.

Responses

WMATA responded to the letter, thanking Duffy and adding that the general manager is looking forward to working with its federal partner to make Metro safer. The general manager admits there is still work to do.

FOX 5 asked the mayor’s office for a response to Duffy’s letter. A spokesperson said Bowser does not have a comment at this time.

We are awaiting a response from Amtrak.

READ ALL OF THE LETTER FROM SECRETARY DUFFY BELOW

NewsWashington, D.C.TransportationWashington Metropolitan Area Transit AuthorityMuriel Bowser

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Washington, D.C

D.C. Police Chief manipulated crime data; new House Oversight report

Published

23 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

D.C. Police Chief manipulated crime data; new House Oversight report

TNND — A new report from the House Oversight Committee alleges former D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith pressured officers to manipulate crime data. The committee released the report on Sunday, less than a week after Smith announced she was stepping down.

You’re lulling people into this false sense of security. They might go places they wouldn’t ordinarily go. They might do things they wouldn’t ordinarily do,” said Betsy Brantner Smith, spokesperson for the National Police Association.

Included in the report were transcribed interviews with the commanders of all seven D.C. patrol districts and the former commander currently on suspended leave. One was asked, “Over the last few years, has there been any internal pressure to simply bring down crime statistics?” Their response, “Yes, I mean extremethere’s always been pressure to keep crime down, but the focus on statistics… has come in with this current administration.”

Every single person who lives, works, or visits the District of Columbia deserves a safe city, yet it’s now clear the American people were deliberately kept in the dark about the true crime rates in our nation’s capital,” House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-KY) said in a statement.

“They are going to have to regain the public trust. Again, this is a huge integrity issue,” Brantner Smith said.

Among the reports findings, Smith’s alleged pressured campaign against staff led to inaccurate crime data. Smith punished or removed officers for reporting accurate crime numbers. Smith fostered a toxic culture and President Trump’s federal law enforcement surge in D.C. is working.

While Smith has not yet publicly responded to the report, she’s previously denied allegations of manipulating crime data, saying the investigation did not play a factor into her decision to step down at the end of the year.

My decision was not factored into anything with respect to, other than the fact that it’s time. I’ve had 28 years in law enforcement. I’ve had some time to think with my family,” Smith said earlier this month.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser also released a statement Monday, writing in part that “the interim report betrays its bias from the outset, admitting that it was rushed to release.”

According to crime stats from the Metropolitan Police Department, since the federal law enforcement surge started in August, total violent crime is down 26%. Homicides are down 12% and carjackings 37%.

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Washington, D.C

National Menorah Lighting in DC dedicated to Bondi Beach victims

Published

1 day ago

December 15, 2025

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National Menorah Lighting in DC dedicated to Bondi Beach victims

The first candle lit on the National Menorah near the White House in Washington, D.C., marked the first night of Hanukkah — and solemnly honored victims of the Bondi Beach shooting.

The National Menorah Lighting was held Sunday night, hours after gunmen opened fire on a crowd celebrating the beginning of Hanukkah at Australia’s iconic Bondi Beach. Fifteen people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl, a rabbi and a Holocaust survivor, and over three dozen others were being treated at hospitals.

Authorities in Australia said it was a terrorist attack targeting Jewish people.

Organizers behind the National Menorah Lighting said the news from Australia, along with the bitter cold, forced them to consider whether or not to hold the annual event.

After consulting with local law enforcement, National Menorah Lighting organizers decided to hold the event and honor the victims.

Several D.C.-area police departments issued statements confirming there are no known threats to local communities, but are monitoring just in case.

Montgomery County Executive Mark Elrich condemned the attack and said community safety is a priority.

“Acts of antisemitism, especially those meant to intimidate families and communities during moments of gathering and celebration, must be called out clearly and condemned without hesitation,” Elrich said. “I have heard directly from members of Montgomery County’s Jewish community who are shaken and concerned, and I want them to know that their safety is a priority.”

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Washington, D.C

READ: Report accuses DC Police Chief Pamela Smith of ‘fear, intimidation, threats’

Published

2 days ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

READ: Report accuses DC Police Chief Pamela Smith of ‘fear, intimidation, threats’

WASHINGTON (7News) — Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Pamela Smith is facing yet another scathing report accusing her of manipulating crime data in the city.

The 22-page document from the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform comes less than a week after a separate draft report from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and days after Chief Smith turned in her resignation.

The main difference between the Congressional report and the DOJ report is that this new one, released on December 14, contains transcribed interviews directly with commanders from all seven MPD patrol districts.

RELATED | DC Police settles with former employee over claims that crime numbers were manipulated

The testimony reveals how Chief Smith chastised and, in some cases, publicly humiliated staff in crime briefings.

“The Committee’s investigation heard consistent testimony about frustration and exhaustion among MPD commanders and the manifestation of a culture of fear, intimidation, threats, and retaliation by Chief Smith. Often, these manifestations were triggered whenever the Chief was presented with what she considers ‘bad news,’ particularly when that news pertained to any rise in public crime statistics. Chief Smith, according to testimonies, regularly took action against her subordinates who failed to aid in the preservation of her public image,” the report states on page two.

RELATED | Trump announces probe into DC police for inflating crime stats amid safety claims

The committee launched the investigation in August when whistleblowers came forward with concerns about data manipulation.

One line of questioning in the report states:

Question: Over the last few years, has there been any internal pressure to simply bring down crime statistics?

Answer: Yes, I mean extreme… there’s always been pressure to keep crime down, but the focus on statistics… has come in with this current administration or regime, and you know, that has manifested publicly.

7News reached out to Mayor Bowser’s Office for a comment in response to the report. A spokesperson provided the following statement:

The men and women of the Metropolitan Police Department run towards danger every day to reduce homicides, carjackings, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and more. The precipitous decline in crime in our city is attributable to their hard work and dedication and Chief Smith’s leadership.

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I thank Chief Smith for her commitment to the safety of D.C. residents and for holding the Metropolitan Police Department to an exacting standard, and I expect no less from our next Chief of Police.

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