Jim Jordan SHREDS DC Council Chair for COOKING the Crime Books — EXPOSES Him for Fudging Stats with Fake Category “Taking Property Without Right” Instead of Calling It “Stealing”
September 18, 2025
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) blasted Washington, D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson for manipulating crime statistics by creating a fake category instead of simply calling it what every American knows it is: stealing.
Jordan hammered Mendelson over a shady new crime category, “Taking Property Without Right,” that’s skyrocketed 500% in recent years, all while violent crime ravages the streets of Democrat-run Washington, D.C.
What’s this Orwellian euphemism? Simple: it’s stealing, plain and simple. But in true deep-state fashion, DC’s liberal overlords invented it to whitewash their epic failure on public safety.
Jim Jordan:
What’s taking property without right?
Phil Mendelson:
That would be theft.
Jim Jordan:
Why not call it theft? Why come up with this designation? In fact, that’s what he says. He’s asked the question. He said the solution for Mr. Zabavsky was to come up with this TPWR—Taking Property Without Right. What is that? Taking Property Without Right is what again?
Phil Mendelson:
If you’re speaking to the particular charges, I can’t speak to that. As I’ve said several times, I can’t speak to that particular case. I think the issue is whether there is—
Jim Jordan:
I’m asking a simple question. You have a classification for crime called Taking Property Without Right. What does that mean?
Phil Mendelson:
It means just what it said, if that’s what the crime is.
Jim Jordan:
Why not call it—what would a normal person call Taking Property Without Right?
Phil Mendelson:
Are we talking about what the criminal code and the specific crimes are?
Jim Jordan:
I’m just talking about that statement that you have that’s grown 500% in the last several years—that specific category of crime. I’m just wondering, what does that exactly mean?
Phil Mendelson:
If we look at collateral data such as ShotSpotter, we know that gunshots are down 29% from ’23 to ’24.
Jim Jordan:
Taking Property Without Right was the question. What does that mean?
Phil Mendelson:
I’ve already answered you, sir.
Jim Jordan:
And what did you say again?
Phil Mendelson:
I said that if you’re speaking to a particular offense in our criminal code, I cannot speak to that particular offense.
Jim Jordan:
Why not just call it stealing? That’s what we would all—someone comes in, someone comes and takes something that belongs to me, or someone comes and takes something that belongs to you—we call it stealing. Why create this new category that grows 500%, that I think allows you to cook the books, as the head of the FOP in your city said so?
Phil Mendelson:
As you know, as the Chair of Judiciary Committee, there are for many offenses a range of possible charges from misdemeanor to felony and different shades of felony. I am not familiar with that particular offense.
WATCH:
Jordan didn’t stop there. He reminded Mendelson of his own public statements and the damning accusations made by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).
Jordan: “You put a statement out on Aug. 12 [saying], ‘Violent crime in the District is at its lowest levels we’ve seen in 30 years.’”
Mendelson: “Correct.”
Jordan: “But the head of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Mr. Pemberton, said, ‘When our members respond to the scene of a felony offense, inevitably there will be a lieutenant or a captain that will show up on the scene and direct those members to take a report for a lesser offense.’ Are you guys cooking the books?”
Mendelson: “I think we’re not, but I also know that there are a couple of investigations run by this committee…”
Jordan: “Well, you just settled a case, too, didn’t you? You just settled a case where someone said you were cooking the books.”
Mendelson: “I can’t speak to that case; I don’t have familiarity…”
Jordan: “Well, we know it’s settled. It’s been reported.”
Mendelson: “But I do know the collateral statistics that affirm the reduction in crime.”
Jordan: “Is Mr. Pemberton lying? Head of the FOP?”
Mendelson: “Yes.”
Jordan: “You think he’s lying? Wow.”
WATCH:
Just last month, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) launched an investigation into whistleblower claims that MPD brass is systematically doctoring crime data to make the city look safer than it is.
According to a press release:
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) is launching an investigation following disturbing allegations and whistleblower disclosures suggesting that leadership within the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in Washington, D.C., deliberately manipulated crime data in the District of Columbia.
In a letter to MPD Chief of Police Pamela Smith, Chairman Comer noted that MPD recently entered into a settlement over allegations that senior officials falsified D.C. crime statistics to lower reported crime rates and the Committee is now requesting documents, information, and transcribed interviews with District Commander Michael Pulliam and the District Commanders of all seven patrol districts.
“The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is investigating disturbing allegations that DC crime data is inaccurate and intentionally manipulated, potentially at the direction of Metropolitan Police Department leadership. MPD has a duty under federal and local law to accurately report crime to the public.
“However, in May, MPD placed Third District Commander Michael Pulliam on administrative leave following allegations that he altered crime reports. Unfortunately, this practice does not appear to be isolated, nor is it a recent development. MPD recently entered into a settlement agreement related to allegations that senior MPD officials were engaged in falsifying crime statistics to artificially lower reported crime rates.
“In light of these reports and a related whistleblower disclosure made to the Committee, the Committee requests documents and information, as well as transcribed interviews with the District Commanders of each of the seven patrol districts, including Commander Pulliam, to assist its investigation of this matter,” wrote Chairman James Comer.
A whistleblower with direct knowledge of internal MPD operations and crime data discussions also informed the Committee that crime statistics were allegedly manipulated on a widespread basis and at the direction of senior MPD officials.
According to the whistleblower, while MPD took action against a single District Commander, the issue potentially affects all seven patrol districts, as MPD leadership allegedly instructed Commanders to routinely downgrade charges to artificially lower District crime statistics.
“The whistleblower stated this manipulation is accomplished by supervisors—with only a cursory understanding of the facts and circumstances of the crime—ignoring the judgement of patrol officers who actually interviewed witnesses and collected evidence by recommending reduced charges.
“On August 11, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order entitled, “Restoring Law and Order in the District of Columbia,” to combat the city’s crime crisis.
“This Executive Order is a direct response to a lack of faith in city leadership to put an end to high levels of violent crime. All those living, working, and visiting our nation’s capital deserve a safe city, and misleading the public through manipulation of crime statistics could further erode faith in city leadership and law enforcement in general.
As the Committee of jurisdiction over the municipal affairs of the District of Columbia, it is imperative that the Committee determine whether legislation is needed to ensure that city law enforcement are enabled to perform their duties without pressure to manipulate data for the benefit of superiors.”
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