Republican U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma said he does not “buckle up” when driving in the nation’s capital for fears of carjackings and his hindered response time if caught in one.
Newsweek reached out to a political analyst via text message Wednesday for additional comment.
Why It Matters
President Donald Trump’s move to federalize Washington, D.C., represents one of the most aggressive uses of federal authority over local law enforcement in recent memory and raised questions on the balance between local control and federal emergency powers in the district.
Trump cited the District of Columbia’s Home Rule Act in the enabling of federal control for a limited period.
In a news conference addressing the administration’s decision, district Mayor Muriel Bowser said in part that she believes Trump’s view of D.C. was shaped during his first term in office, during and post-COVID, noting the spike in crime during the period.
What To Know
While speaking with Fox News on D.C. crime, Mullin said that “If you look at car theft only … if Washington, D.C., was a state, Washington, D.C., would be three times higher than any other state. And we’re talking about a city. And we’re comparing it to full states.”
“And by the way, I’m not joking when I say this. I drive around in Washington, D.C., in my jeep and, yes, I do drive myself,” the Oklahoma lawmaker continued. “And I don’t buckle up. And the reason why I don’t buckle up, and people can say whatever they want to, they can raise their eyebrows at me, again, is because of carjacking.”
Mullin added: “I don’t wanna be stuck in my vehicle when I need to exit in a hurry because I got a seat belt around me. And … I wear my seat belt all the time, but in Washington, D.C., I do not because it is so prevalent of carjacking. … And I don’t want the same thing to happen to me what’s happened to a lot of people that work on The Hill.”
Trump also discussed D.C.’s crime record in comparison to other states Wednesday night on Truth Social, saying in part, “If D.C. were a State, it would have the highest Homicide Rate of any State in America. The Violent Crime Rate in D.C. has worsened, and the Murder Rate has essentially DOUBLED in just over a decade — But these are only the ‘official’ statistics released by corrupt City Officials.”
A Newsweek analysis of local and federal data reported violent crime in 2024 had hit a 30-year low in the district, and the Washington Metropolitan Police Department had also reported 2025 decreases in violent crime, including a 37 percent decline in carjackings.
Recent incidents, however, did prompt national attention, including the D.C. attack on Edward “Big Balls” Coristine, former employee at the Department of Government Efficiency.
What People Are Saying
Bowser posted to X on Monday: “Washington, DC is a beautiful city. DC is home to 700K people and welcomes millions every year. We have the #1 park system, fantastic public schools, and a tremendous public transportation system. And we are at a 30-year low in violent crime. It’s important for all who live here and visit to know how beautiful our city is and how proud we are of all that we’ve accomplished.”
This is a developing story that will be updated with additional information.
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