January 1, D.C. Safety Debate Heats Up After Reporter’s Boast

Wyatt’s Take

• DC crime is called low by elites, but folks aren’t buying it.
• Tom Elliott challenged safe-city claims with a nighttime walk offer.
• City cops and locals say crime stats don’t match lived reality.

New York Times reporter Peter Baker insists Washington, D.C., is safe, even claiming violent crime is at a 30-year low. He criticizes the Trump administration’s use of federal forces, arguing fears of out-of-control crime are overblown.

“Citing a nonexistent crime crisis, Trump plans to take over the Washington DC police and put troops in the streets of the nation’s capital. Contrary to his claims, violent crime in DC is at a 30-year low.”

— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) August 11, 2025

Baker focuses on the January 6 Capitol incident, but critics say he’s ignoring countless violent crimes since then. Journalist Tom Elliott calls his bluff, offering to fund Baker’s live-streamed walk through a dangerous DC route at night, unarmed and alone.

“I’ll personally pledge $300 for Peter to livestream himself walking the following route, unarmed, after 9 PM on any weekend night.”

— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) August 12, 2025

Elliott’s GoFundMe for the cause was quickly removed, with GoFundMe saying the event was “impossible.” Others note that police have accused D.C.’s top brass of making crimes look milder on paper, while the real problems keep affecting regular folks. Crime in the capital is not just a numbers game—it’s about people’s everyday safety.

Democrats running the city stand accused of downplaying the severity of 2024 crime. As one police union chair revealed, officers are sometimes told to report felony crimes as less serious offenses, misleading the public about real risks after dark and even broad daylight.

If the elites feel so secure, the challenge stands: walk those streets without a security blanket. Until then, most working Americans will trust their gut, not the headlines.

Full story at Conservative News Daily

Wyatt Matters

The divide between numbers and life on the street shows the importance of honest reporting. Folks deserve the truth about safety in their communities, not political spin or filtered data. Heartland values demand looking out for neighbors, and that can only happen when leaders give the real facts.