DC mayor fires back at House Oversight Committee over 'politically motivated' crime statistics report

Fox News Digital obtained a letter Bowser sent on Monday to House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., and ranking member Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif.

"That cooperation was intended to educate the Committee about the complex subject of crime reporting, address the public misrepresentations about crime in the nation's capital, and identify policies and processes that could be improved to ensure transparent, high-quality crime data. The Committee's interim report is a disappointing rejection of that good faith approach and instead reflects a rush to judgement in order to serve a politically motivated timeline and release a report whose outcome appears to have been determined before the investigation began."

It alleges that Smith, who is expected to remain in the position through the end of the year, pressured commanders on numerous occasions, and at times instructed them to downgrade offenses and avoid classifications that would appear on the city's daily crime report.

Bowser defended Smith in her letter as an integral figure in helping reduce a 2023 spike in violent crime and homicides. She also noted that the committee did not interview Smith or any of MPD's assistant chiefs before issuing its findings.

"Even a cursory review of the report reveals its prejudice: of the 22 block quotes presented as complaining about Chief Smith's management style, 20 of them were made by only two command officials interviewed," Bowser wrote.

Bowser said the district is committed to publishing accurate, high-quality crime statistics.

"The pressure public leaders should all feel to reduce crime and the fear of crime in our communities will never be an acceptable excuse to intentionally alter and downgrade crime, and any police official who believes otherwise will be held accountable," she added.