Homicides in Washington, D.C., fell 43.9% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, according to data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association. The city recorded 46 homicides during the period, down from 82 a year earlier. The decline followed the deployment of the National Guard and federal intervention in the District’s policing operations in August 2025. Tamara Jachym, whose son was killed in Washington in 2025, said the increased security presence is helping residents feel safer.

The figures have been cited by the Trump administration as evidence that its public safety measures are producing results, although the data alone does not establish that any single policy caused the decline. The National Guard deployment remains a subject of debate among lawmakers and residents in major U.S. cities.

Washington records a sharp homicide decline

Washington, D.C., recorded 46 homicides in the first six months of 2026, compared with 82 in the same period of 2025. The 43.9% reduction was reported by the Major Cities Chiefs Association, which tracks public safety data from major U.S. cities. The figures cover the first half of the year and show a substantial change from the previous year, when violent crime was a prominent concern in the capital.

The decline occurred after federal authorities expanded their role in Washington’s public safety operations. The data identifies the change in homicide totals, but does not by itself determine which individual actions or broader conditions were responsible.

National Guard presence becomes central to the debate

President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to Washington in early August 2025 and took control of the District’s police force as part of a campaign to address crime and disorder. Guardsmen were later seen patrolling the District in 2026, adding a visible security presence in neighborhoods and public areas.

Tamara Jachym said residents she knows in Washington, from different backgrounds, have noticed the patrols and feel safer. She connected the increased presence to additional observation and reporting on the ground, while acknowledging that the wider debate includes questions about federal authority and the use of the National Guard in cities.

“Something’s working and I think extra eyes and ears on the ground is helping this happen,” Jachym said.

A victim’s mother urges lawmakers to act

Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a congressional intern, was killed in Washington in 2025 after investigators said several people exited a vehicle and fired at a group. Investigators said he was not the intended target. His mother has used the case to call attention to the effects of violent crime on families and communities.

Jachym criticized elected officials who oppose National Guard deployments to major U.S. cities, saying lawmakers should focus on residents who have been killed, injured or left fearful. She also said her son should be remembered as a kind and humble person who worked across political lines to seek solutions.

“You have to have empathy for us victims, not the criminals,” Jachym said.

Administration points to arrests and quality-of-life efforts

White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis said the administration’s public safety strategy had made the nation’s capital safer. She cited the Safe and Beautiful Task Force, which the administration said had made more than 16,000 arrests involving people accused of crimes including homicide, sex offenses, drug trafficking and other violent offenses.

The administration also said the task force had focused on improving the city’s appearance and quality of life. Those claims were presented alongside the homicide figures as evidence of progress, while the reported data itself documents the decline in killings rather than the full effect of every enforcement initiative.

Memphis reports a comparable decrease

Memphis, Tennessee, recorded a similar percentage decline during the same period. Homicides fell from 119 in the first half of 2025 to 67 in the first half of 2026, a reduction of 43.7%, according to the same association.

The comparison is notable because the National Guard was also deployed to Memphis in 2025. However, the figures represent separate cities and do not explain whether the deployments, local policing strategies or other factors drove the reductions.

Summary

Washington’s homicide count dropped sharply in the first half of 2026, following a federal public safety intervention that included National Guard deployment and expanded federal control. The decline has strengthened the administration’s argument that its approach is working, while supporters such as Tamara Jachym say visible patrols have improved residents’ sense of security. The available figures show a clear reduction, but further analysis is needed to determine the causes and durability of the trend.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much did Washington homicides decline?

Homicides fell 43.9% in the first half of 2026, from 82 during the same period in 2025 to 46.

When was the National Guard deployed to Washington?

The National Guard was deployed to Washington in early August 2025 as part of a federal crime and public safety intervention.

What does Tamara Jachym say about the deployment?

Jachym said additional personnel provide more eyes and ears on the ground and that people she knows in Washington notice a difference and feel safer.

Did Memphis report a similar decline?

Yes. Memphis homicides fell 43.7%, from 119 in the first half of 2025 to 67 in the first half of 2026.

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