A well-known Washington, D.C., influencer took to social media Tuesday to rally residents to defend the city’s reputation, but the effort quickly unraveled as replies poured in with blunt accounts of crime and hardship.
President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to Washington, D.C., and seized federal control of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) on Monday to “reestablish law and order and safety.” The X account Washingtonian Problems, known for memes and local news, posted an appeal for residents to counter what they called the “negative narrative” about the nation’s capital.
Hey DC, let’s push back against the negative narrative about our city. Share why you love our beautiful home and help show the world the real DC. #TheRealDC
— Washingtonian Problems (@WashProbs) August 11, 2025
Instead of glowing tributes, the replies quickly filled with grim personal stories about crime and safety concerns. Former The Daily Caller editor Grayson Quay recalled being head-butted on the Metro for asking a passenger to turn down loud phone music and, later, being spat on by a stranger for no reason.
It was really cool when a guy headbutted me on the metro after I asked him to stop blasting music through his phone speakers.
And then there was the time a bum spat on me for no reason.
— G.S. Quay (@hemingquay) August 12, 2025
TV commentator Sarah Selip said “The Real D.C.” means carrying pepper spray day and night, avoiding headphones after dark, and removing her engagement ring before walking the dog.
As a woman #TheRealDC means carrying pepper spray day and night.
Not wearing headphones after dark.
Taking off your engagement ring when walking the dogs.
— Sarah Selip (@SarahSelip) August 12, 2025
Several users pushed back, asking how residents could claim to love the city while ignoring its problems. Others pointed to rampant crime and filth, with some saying that acknowledging the city’s struggles is not the same as being negative.
It’s a beautiful city but it’s not negativity to admit that the crime is out of control
— Allie (@allie__voss) August 12, 2025
Too busy watching updated footage of the rampant crime and filth.
— Tony Kinnett (@TheTonus) August 12, 2025
How can you love your city if you refuse to help her get better?
— Christopher Barnard (@ChrisBarnardDL) August 12, 2025
Mainstream outlets have largely echoed the MPD’s claim that crime in Washington has dropped 35% since 2024. FBI data and other sources tell a different story. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that 850 officers and agents made 23 arrests on the first night of Trump’s crackdown, targeting crimes including homicide, firearm offenses, stalking, and narcotics trafficking. (RELATED: ‘It’s Never Enough!’: Jeanine Pirro Unleashes On Reporter Who Downplays DC Crime)
FBI data shows violent crime fell 10% since 2024 but remains slightly higher than in 2018. The MPD — unlike the FBI — counts only homicides, sex abuse crimes, assaults with a dangerous weapon, and robberies as violent crime. In May, the MPD suspended its police chief and launched an investigation into whether he manipulated crime data. The D.C. Police Union accused the department in July of falsifying statistics to exaggerate the drop in violent crime.
A gang-related shooting in June killed 21-year-old congressional intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym near a Metro station. His mother Tamara told Fox News’ Martha MacCallum on Monday that Trump’s actions in Washington mean her son “did not die in vain.” On May 22, gunfire outside the Capital Jewish Museum killed two Israeli officials. Prosecutors charged 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez on Friday with two counts of first-degree murder under D.C. law, two federal hate-crime counts resulting in death, and two local counts of assault with intent to kill while armed.
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