DC mayor reports 'great meeting' with Trump after past public feuds, touts 'common ground' on nation's capital

"President Trump and I both want Washington, DC to be the best, most beautiful city in the world and we want the capital city to reflect the strength of our nation," Bowser said. 

The Democratic mayor said she and Trump "discussed areas for the collaboration between local and federal government, especially around our federal workforce, underutilized federal buildings, parks and green spaces, and infrastructure." "I am optimistic that we will continue to find common ground with the President during his second term, and we look forward to supporting a successful inauguration on January 20," she added. 

Trump made it a promise on the campaign trail this year that he would revitalize D.C. and other American cities that he says have deteriorated in recent years under progressive policies that have fueled violent crime and emboldened offenders.

Since 2023, homicides in Washington have declined by 32%, violent crime has dropped by 35% and overall crime is down 15%, DC Police Chief Pamela Smith and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Lindsey Appiah announced. 

The 35% dip in year-over-year crime constitutes a new 30-year low for D.C., U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Mathew Graves noted earlier this month.

Smith on Monday championed better use of technology, crediting how "the mayor approved the increase of CCTV cameras across the city." 

The chief also said a sweeping D.C. crime bill enacted earlier this year served as a "morale booster" for officers, who expressed how they feel like they "could police again" with returned or new tools to use on the streets. 

The bill also made it easier for judges to order pre-trial detention. 

Appiah, meanwhile, admitted that holding suspects accused of violent crimes ahead of trial - as opposed to releasing them back onto the street to re-offend - has contributed to the about-face.