Republicans in Congress have accused the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) of Washington, D.C., of manipulating crime statistics by reclassifying serious incidents as lesser offenses. This allegation is part of a broader initiative supporting President Donald Trump’s push for federal intervention in law enforcement and the deployment of the National Guard in the capital.

A report from the Republican-led House Oversight Committee claims that interviews with the department's seven district commanders revealed a focus on reducing crime numbers. The report suggests that this approach has created a culture of fear, intimidation, and retaliation within the department, under the leadership of Police Chief Pamela A. Smith. The committee alleges that serious offenses, such as assaults with deadly weapons and burglaries, were reclassified into lesser charges like “endangerment with a firearm” and unlawful entry, which were then excluded from public crime statistics.

Additionally, an eighth commander was placed on leave amid an investigation into the alleged alteration of crime data. Chief Smith announced her resignation, effective at the end of the month, citing personal reasons, while denying any encouragement of data manipulation and asserting that issues would be addressed with accountability.

The Justice Department and President Trump have also criticized Chief Smith and the MPD, alleging that the department's crime data has been altered. These accusations arose as Trump faced challenges in declaring a crime emergency in Washington, D.C., in August.

In a separate incident, the FBI's handling of the investigation into a shooting at Brown University has come under scrutiny. The shooting, which occurred during an economics review session, resulted in the deaths of two students and injuries to nine others. Rhode Island authorities confirmed that a 24-year-old man initially detained was released after evidence indicated he was not connected to the attack, prompting a renewed search for the actual shooter.

Governor Dan McKee of Rhode Island stated that evidence pointed in a different direction, confirming the release of the individual. Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez noted that the lead prompting the detention originated from the FBI, which coordinated with local authorities.

FBI Director Kash Patel had previously highlighted the bureau's response efforts, including establishing a command post and utilizing cellular geolocation analysis. However, the rapid release of the detained individual raised questions about the FBI's public messaging strategy. Former FBI special agent Stuart Kaplan criticized the bureau for its tendency to provide real-time updates during ongoing investigations, suggesting that this practice undermines public confidence and can lead to backlash when initial leads do not pan out.

Critics on social media expressed concern that the FBI's quick claims of progress were premature, especially as the actual suspect remains at large. This incident is not isolated; Patel has faced similar criticism in the past for public statements regarding other investigations, which have sometimes overstated threats or misrepresented the status of suspects.

The shooting has significantly impacted the Brown University community, particularly as one of the victims was a prominent student leader. In response to the incident, university officials canceled exams and transitioned classes to an online format while the investigation continues. As the FBI navigates the complexities of transparency and operational integrity, the agency faces ongoing challenges in maintaining public trust amid heightened scrutiny and the imperative to ensure justice is served.