Donald Trump threatens lawsuit over National Guard crime study

President Donald Trump has threatened legal action against the Center for American Progress (CAP) and its contributors following a report regarding National Guard deployments in U.S. cities. The CAP study, which analyzed the impact of $1.7 billion in deployments, concluded there was no compelling evidence that the presence of the National Guard measurably reduced violent crime, noting that many cities saw crime declines before the troops arrived.

Trump criticized the report on Truth Social, labeling it a “Radical Left SCAM” and attacking the organization’s funders, including George Soros, Bill and Melinda Gates, and various corporations such as Apple, Google, and Walmart. He stated that he is preparing a lawsuit and is considering including some of the organization’s contributors in the litigation.

Data regarding crime in Washington, D.C., presents a complex picture. While the Council on Criminal Justice reported significant drops in certain areas—including a 41% decrease in homicides and a 63% reduction in carjackings in the first half of 2026 compared to 2025—other metrics showed increases. Specifically, aggravated assaults rose by 45% and gun assaults increased by 13% during the same period.