Indian-American DOJ Official Harmeet Dhillon foils attempted mugging near White House

Highlights:

• Harmeet Dhillon, a Trump appointee and DOJ Civil Rights Division head, reported an attempted mugging on August 12.
• Incident took place near New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, close to the White House.
• Dhillon described the suspect as a “malodorous homeless person” appearing mentally unstable.
• She urged public vigilance, saying the city doesn’t feel safe yet.
• Comes as Trump federalizes D.C. police and deploys the National Guard to curb crime.

Indian-American Trump appointee Harmeet Dhillon, who serves as the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division at the US Department of Justice, narrowly escaped an attempted mugging near the White House in Washington, DC. The incident occurred on Tuesday while she was walking back to the DOJ from an appointment.

Dhillon described the assailant as a “malodorous homeless person” who tried to steal her phone. She noted that the individual appeared to be mentally unstable but managed to skillfully evade the attempt. She reassured the public by stating, “I’m ok, nothing happened.”

The attempted theft took place near the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, close to popular tourist locations and the White House. Dhillon observed that several other homeless and mentally fragile people were also present in the vicinity. Emphasizing caution, she urged everyone to remain vigilant, acknowledging that it will take time until one can feel safe in the city again.

This incident occurs amid President Donald Trump’s intensified crackdown on crime in the nation’s capital. In a recent move, Trump announced plans to federalize the District of Columbia’s Metropolitan Police Department and authorized deployment of the National Guard to address the rising crime rates. A memorandum directed the Secretary of Defense to mobilize the D.C. National Guard to active duty as necessary, and an executive order required the Mayor of DC to provide Metropolitan Police services for federal use to the maximum extent permitted under the Home Rule Act.

Since August 7, law enforcement has made over 100 arrests as part of this crackdown, with 43 arrests reported on Tuesday alone. Trump’s administration is aggressively pursuing efforts to restore order and safety in Washington, DC, framing it as “liberation day” for the city as federal forces take charge.

Despite these developments, local authorities and the DC mayor have contested claims of a crime surge, reporting that violent crimes and robberies are down compared to previous years. Still, the attempted mugging of a high-profile official like Harmeet Dhillon illustrates persistent challenges in public safety within the capital.

In her tweets, Dhillon urged the public to “stay alert,” highlighting the ongoing risks posed by vulnerable populations in the area. Her narrow escape underscores the urgency of the federal government’s recent security measures in Washington, DC.