Fox News anchor Bret Baier was cited for distracted driving in Washington, D.C., amid President Donald Trump’s ongoing federal crackdown on crime in the nation’s capital.
Baier, 55, was stopped Saturday in the Georgetown neighborhood after an officer observed him picking up his ringing cellphone while driving his wife’s car.
🚨 HOLY SH*T: Even Fox’s Bret Baier just got pulled over in DC — proof that nobody’s getting a free pass anymore. Law & order is BACK. pic.twitter.com/BRBWuIQJ9e
— Wienerdogwifi (@wienerdogwifi) August 19, 2025
The longtime “Special Report” host confirmed the incident on X after video of the traffic stop began circulating online, as reported by The New York Post.
“I picked up my ringing phone as I drove past an officer while driving my wife’s car in Georgetown,” Baier wrote. “He pointed to have me pull over — I did. He was very professional. I had to dig for the registration card. Got a ticket and left. I didn’t know there was paparazzi.”
I picked up my ringing phone as I drove past an officer while driving my wife’s car in Georgetown. He pointed to have me pull over- I did. He was very professional. I had to dig for the registration card. Got a ticket and left. I didn’t know there was paparazzi. 🙄 https://t.co/JNllA3TKgj
— Bret Baier (@BretBaier) August 19, 2025
Video of the stop, filmed by Mollaan Babbington Group, a Washington real estate firm, showed Baier in a white Mercedes-Benz G-Class, commonly referred to as a G-Wagon.
LOL! No criminal is safe in DC! Bret Baier just got popped. 🤣pic.twitter.com/HBBdLPVT4J
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) August 19, 2025
Under District law, drivers are prohibited from using handheld cell phones to talk or text unless through hands-free technology. Baier received a ticket but was not taken into custody. A Fox News spokesperson referred all inquiries to his public social media statement.
The citation came just one day after Baier traveled aboard Air Force One to Alaska to cover President Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
While en route, Baier conducted an interview with Trump. He also golfed with the President and special envoy Steve Witkoff at Trump’s Virginia course prior to the traffic stop.
The incident occurred against the backdrop of Trump’s broader law-and-order initiative in Washington.
Following a string of high-profile violent crimes targeting public employees — including the Aug. 3 assault of Edward Coristine, a former Department of Government Efficiency worker who was injured while attempting to stop a carjacking — Trump authorized a significant federal intervention.
Beginning Aug. 7, the President deployed federal law enforcement to assist in the capital. On Aug. 11, Trump federalized the Metropolitan Police Department and activated the D.C. National Guard for a 30-day period.
Since then, federal and local authorities have made hundreds of arrests. According to Justice Department data, 52 suspects were arrested on the night of Aug. 18 alone. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that among those arrested was a suspected MS-13 gang member.
Crime statistics released by the Trump administration show notable reductions across multiple categories since the federal takeover. Compared to the week prior, robberies fell 46 percent, carjackings dropped 83 percent, and overall crime declined by 8 percent.
DC crime since the announcement of federal control versus the 7 days prior:
Robbery ⬇️46%
ADW ⬇️6%
Carjacking ⬇️83%
Car Theft ⬇️21%
Violent Crime ⬇️22%
Property Crime ⬇️6%
All Crimes⬇️8%While federal assistance gives us a boost, we must repeal the misguided Comprehensive…
— DC Police Union (@DCPoliceUnion) August 18, 2025
The D.C. Police Union credited federal support with the improvements but also renewed its call to repeal the city’s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Act.
President Trump has indicated that he may ask Congress to extend federal authority over the D.C. police force beyond the initial 30-day window.
