Why Republicans Are Terrified of Nonexistent Crime
prospect.org -- Friday, August 15, 2025, 5:08:09 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Categories: Presidential Campaigns
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J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo
National Guard personnel keep watch as travelers arrive at the entrance to Union Station near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, August 14, 2025.
Among the favorite pastimes of Republican men, two stand out: first, boasting about what strong, courageous, hypermasculine operators they are; and second, publicly melting down about how pants-pissingly terrified they are of American cities.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) is the latest in a long line of conservative men expressing delirious panic about an American city, in this case Washington, D.C. "I drive around in Washington, D.C., in my Jeep and, yes, I do drive myself. And I don't buckle up," he said on Fox News recently. "And the reason why I don't buckle up, and people can say whatever they want to, they can raise their eyebrows at me, again, is because of carjacking." Consider my eyebrow raised.
Before Mullin, there was Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy hyperventilating about almost nonexistent crime on the New York subway. And there was Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) claiming that he tells visitors to D.C. that "you need to be careful where you stay, you need to be careful where you walk, you shouldn't be out after dark." And, of course, there was Donald Trump calling various American cities Escape From New York-esque hellholes. "What I guess the mayor did, but whoever it was, they asked the numbers to be fudged so they would show less crime," he said recently, denying police statistics about dramatically falling D.C. crime. "The fact is, it's worse than it has ever been."
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This seems to be a core emotion of modern conservatism: wallowing in terror of largely imaginary dangers. But there is a very real project behind their trembling cowardice -- the violent subjugation of liberal cities. Today, D.C. is the target. Trump has seized control of the D.C. police department, deployed FBI agents to wander around peaceful D.C. parks, and authorized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to send in National Guard troops.
I must emphasize that for anyone who has lived in any big American city, these Republican men are almost indescribably pathetic. I have lived in New York, D.C., and Philadelphia, and as a habitual walker who didn't own a car for most of that time, I have spent literally thousands of hours walking and cycling all over those cities, usually by myself, and often after dark. The one time I experienced any actual crime against my person was when some dumb Philly pranksters shot me with an airsoft gun before speeding off. It did little more than startle me.
Now, I am a non-elderly man, which changes the risk calculus somewhat, and street crime does happen. I knew people who were mugged in D.C., and carjacking does happen there. (There was a substantial spike in 2022-2023, but it's now trending back to about where it was before the pandemic.)
But fundamentally, crime of any kind is a minor risk for a white man in D.C., which classification applies to Mullin, Duffy, Scott, and Trump. Overwhelmingly, the largest source of danger for people who fit that description is vehicle traffic, which killed 110 people in the D.C. area in 2024 -- a danger that is considerably worsened when you aren't wearing your seatbelt.
American cities, especially in blue states, are safer than they have been in decades. Baltimore, for instance, is seeing the lowest homicide rate since the 1970s (when it first started collecting statistics) thanks to the diligent efforts of Mayor Brandon Scott. A wealthy, passing-for-white male (Mullin has a Cherokee background) member of Congress flipping out about city crime today is like having a panic attack over fear of being assaulted by Goofy at Disneyland.
But cities really are full of everything that conservatives hate: liberals, feminists, diversity, LGBT people, immigrants, and so on -- essentially, cosmopolitanism writ large. New York City in particular, with its millions of people from all over the world living cheek by jowl in relative harmony, is living disproof of JD Vance's Volksgemeinschaft ideology. It proves that immigrants can be a vital part of the American fabric, and in fact always have been -- and Republicans can't stand it.
A consistent thread in the history of American conservatism is the enjoyment of inflicting sadistic violence on helpless members of disfavored groups. This stems from slavery, which required brutal violence to function at all, but was also the central pillar of the subsequent Jim Crow regime. Segregation was only the surface of a system in which "white people, mostly white men, occasionally went berserk, and grabbed random black people, usually men, and lynched them ... white people also randomly beat black people, and the black people could not fight back, for fear of even worse punishment," as Hamdan Rice writes. "This constant low level dread of atavistic violence is what kept the system running."
I think on some level, conservatives know perfectly well that liberal American cities are quite safe. That's why they have to work themselves into such paroxysms of hysterical cowardice -- to give themselves permission to inflict violence on the Americans they hate. It's what happened in Los Angeles earlier this year, and it's happening to Washington, D.C., today. Tomorrow it will be somewhere else, and unless Republicans are stopped, the violence will only escalate. "We're gonna support doing this in other cities if it works out in Washington, D.C.," Rep. James Comer (R-KY) said on Newsmax recently. "I think this is an experiment that's probably needed in a lot of the Democrat-run cities in America."
Sign Our PetitionIn recent years, the rhetoric around crime and safety in American cities has reached a fever pitch, particularly among conservative commentators and politicians. The article discusses the exaggerated fears expressed by figures like Sen. Markwayne Mullin regarding urban crime, particularly in Washington, D.C. This fear-mongering often serves as a political tool, designed not only to galvanize a base but also to justify a broader agenda of surveillance, militarization, and punitive approaches to governance. Understanding the historical and social dynamics at play reveals how these narratives are often disconnected from reality and serve to obscure deeper issues of inequality and systemic injustice.
Historically, the portrayal of cities as dangerous and lawless has been a recurring theme in American politics, particularly during times of social change. The “urban crisis” of the late 1960s and 1970s, characterized by rising crime rates and social unrest, was often used to justify the expansion of police forces and punitive policies that disproportionately targeted marginalized communities. This led to the criminalization of poverty and the systemic dismantling of social services designed to address the root causes of crime, such as unemployment, lack of access to education, and inadequate healthcare. The current portrayal of American cities as crime-ridden hellscapes echoes this earlier narrative, revealing a persistent pattern of scapegoating urban areas while ignoring the socioeconomic factors that contribute to crime and insecurity.
The focus on nonexistent crime serves a dual purpose for conservative politicians. On one hand, it engenders a sense of fear that motivates their base, reinforcing the idea that only they can protect citizens from imminent danger. On the other hand, it provides a convenient distraction from the real issues facing the country, such as income inequality, housing shortages, and systemic racism. By framing urban settings as perilous, they can advocate for more aggressive policing and military-style interventions in civilian areas, a tactic that has troubling implications for civil liberties and community safety. The deployment of the National Guard and federal agents to cities like D.C., as mentioned in the article, raises questions about the militarization of domestic law enforcement and the erosion of trust between communities and the police.
Furthermore, the hyperbolic fears expressed by conservative leaders often overlook the lived experiences of the majority of city dwellers. Many urban residents navigate their environments with relative ease, engaging in everyday activities like walking or cycling without incident. The contrast between the lived realities of these individuals and the fearful narratives propagated by politicians reveals a disconnection that is both alarming and revealing. It highlights a cultural divide that not only impacts policy but also shapes societal perceptions of safety, worth, and belonging. Urban spaces, often vibrant and filled with diverse communities, are reduced to caricatures of danger and chaos in the political discourse, which can lead to further marginalization of the very communities that these narratives claim to protect.
Moreover, it’s essential to connect these discussions with ongoing social struggles around justice and equity. The current atmosphere of fear surrounding crime is often leveraged to undermine movements advocating for police reform and community-centered safety solutions. The calls to defund or reform the police are rooted in the belief that systemic change, rather than increased militarization, is necessary to address the underlying issues of violence and inequality. By framing these movements as dangerous or radical, conservative figures aim to maintain the status quo, which perpetuates cycles of violence and oppression against marginalized communities. This cycle is not only harmful but serves to distract from the very real and tangible solutions that advocate for restorative justice and community empowerment.
In conclusion, the exaggerated fears surrounding urban crime represent a broader political strategy that obscures the realities of systemic issues and undermines efforts toward social justice. By critically engaging with the rhetoric of fear and examining its historical context, we gain insight into the mechanisms of political power that seek to maintain control through division and disempowerment. Instead of succumbing to fear, it is imperative to advocate for a narrative grounded in compassion, equity, and community-driven solutions that address the genuine needs of urban populations. Understanding this context empowers individuals to challenge the status quo and advocate for a more just and equitable society.
The commentary surrounding the recent sensationalist claims by Republican figures regarding crime in major urban areas serves not only to highlight the disconnect between perception and reality but also to reveal a deeper political agenda that seeks to undermine public trust in the institutions that govern these cities. The rhetoric employed by individuals like Sen. Markwayne Mullin and former President Donald Trump paints an exaggerated picture of peril that is not supported by statistical realities. Indeed, as noted in the article, crime rates in cities like Washington, D.C., have largely stabilized or even declined despite the narrative of chaos and danger pushed by some Republican leaders. This manipulation of fear serves a dual purpose: it galvanizes a certain voter base and justifies increased military and police presence in urban areas, which are often predominantly inhabited by marginalized communities.
Historically, the portrayal of cities as dangerous, chaotic environments is not new. It echoes a long-standing trope in American politics, where urban areas—often seen as bastions of liberalism—are depicted as lawless and in need of intervention. This narrative gained traction during the rise of the crack epidemic in the 1980s and has resurfaced in various forms since then, tailored to fit the evolving political landscape. The use of fear to mobilize support for increased policing and military presence has profound implications, especially when considering the historical context of systemic racism and inequality that has pervaded urban policies. By framing crime as an imminent threat, conservative leaders distract from the structural issues that contribute to crime and poverty, such as lack of access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
As Americans, it is important to challenge this narrative and the fears it seeks to instill. We can begin by engaging in community discussions that prioritize facts over fear. By educating ourselves and others about crime statistics and understanding the broader socio-economic factors at play, we can foster a more informed public discourse. Local initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of crime, such as poverty alleviation programs, job training, and mental health services, can also act as countermeasures to the fear-mongering tactics employed by some political figures. Additionally, advocating for reform in law enforcement practices can help build community trust and ensure that public safety efforts do not disproportionately target marginalized groups.
Moreover, it is crucial to support policies that promote social equity and justice. This could include investing in community programs that encourage collaboration between citizens and local law enforcement, aiming to bridge the gap that has historically existed between these two groups. Grassroots movements and advocacy organizations play a key role in pushing for these changes, and by supporting their efforts, we can collectively work towards a more just and equitable society. This approach not only counters the narrative of fear but also empowers communities to take ownership of their safety and well-being.
Lastly, we must hold our elected officials accountable for perpetuating unfounded fears that endanger the social fabric of our cities. Engaging in local politics, supporting candidates who prioritize evidence-based policies, and advocating for transparency in crime statistics can help dismantle the toxic narrative perpetuated by fearmongers. By cultivating a culture of critical thinking, empathy, and community engagement, we can resist the divisive politics that aim to undermine the very essence of urban life—its diversity, vibrancy, and resilience. In doing so, we not only protect our cities but also champion a vision of America that values safety through understanding rather than fear.
When analyzing the concerns raised in the article regarding the exaggerated narratives around crime in urban areas, it’s vital to focus on ways we can actively combat misinformation and advocate for a more balanced discussion around public safety and community well-being. Here’s a detailed list of actions you can take to contribute positively to this conversation and push back against harmful narratives:
### What Can We Personally Do About This?
1. **Educate Yourself and Others:** - Understand the facts about crime rates in your city and share this knowledge with friends, family, and community members to counter fear-based narratives. - Engage in discussions that provide context about crime, highlighting how socioeconomic factors contribute to safety concerns.
2. **Advocate for Responsible Media Reporting:** - Write letters to media outlets that perpetuate fear-mongering narratives about crime, urging them to present balanced reporting that incorporates data and personal stories reflecting reality.
3. **Support Local Organizations:** - Get involved with community organizations that focus on crime prevention through social support rather than punitive measures. Volunteer time or donate resources to these groups.
4. **Engage Politically:** - Contact elected representatives to express your concerns regarding public safety narratives and advocate for policies that address root causes of crime, such as poverty, lack of access to education, and mental health services.
### Exact Actions and Resources
1. **Petition for Community Safety Initiatives:** - **Petition Example:** Create or sign petitions that advocate for funding community programs focused on mental health support, youth engagement, and job training. - **Website to Start a Petition:** [Change.org](https://www.change.org)
2. **Contact Elected Officials:** - Write to your local and state representatives to discuss your concerns about the rhetoric surrounding crime and urge them to focus on community-oriented solutions. - **Sample Email Template:** ``` Subject: Advocating for a Balanced Approach to Public Safety
Dear [Representative's Name],
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to express my concerns regarding the current narrative surrounding crime in our city. It appears that exaggeration around crime rates is leading to unnecessary fear among residents, which can undermine our community's well-being.
I believe we should focus on addressing the root causes of crime, such as poverty and lack of access to essential services, rather than perpetuating fear. I urge you to support policies that promote community safety through social support programs.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Address] [Your Email] ```
- **Who to Contact:** - **U.S. Senators:** - Find your Senators on [senate.gov](https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm) to get contact information. - **Local Representatives:** - Visit [house.gov](https://www.house.gov/) to find your local Congressman.
3. **Participate in Community Meetings:** - Attend town hall meetings or community forums to advocate for solutions that address crime with a focus on social equity and community cohesion.
4. **Use Social Media Wisely:** - Share accurate statistics and personal stories on social media platforms to counter misinformation about crime in urban areas. Tag local news outlets and politicians in these posts to raise visibility.
5. **Join or Form Advocacy Groups:** - Connect with like-minded individuals in your community to form advocacy groups that address public safety through a holistic lens. This could involve organizing community events, workshops, and discussions.
6. **Write to Local News Outlets:** - Submit op-eds or letters to the editor that challenge misleading crime narratives, emphasizing community resilience and the importance of data-driven discussions. - **Example Outlets:** - [The Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/opinions/) - [Local Newspapers] - Search for your local paper’s contact information for submissions.
### Conclusion
Each of these actions can contribute to a broader understanding of crime and public safety, moving the conversation away from fear-based narratives and toward constructive solutions that prioritize community welfare. By engaging in these efforts, we can help create a narrative that emphasizes safety through social support, understanding, and empowerment rather than panic and division.