Topline
President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he thinks the federal government should “take over” and run Washington D.C., echoing a sentiment among some House GOP members who have pushed for legislation to repeal the capital city’s home rule and bring it back under direct federal control.
President Donald Trump returns to the White House.
Key Facts
Speaking to reporters onboard Air Force One, Trump said: “I think we should take over Washington, D.C. — make it safe…we should govern District of Columbia.”
The president said the city’s government was not “doing the job,” adding that the city has a “great police department” which is not being “utilized properly.”
Trump claimed that there was “too much crime” in the city and added, “people are getting killed, people are being hurt.”
He also complained about homeless encampments in D.C., saying there was “too much graffiti, too many tents on the lawns…homeless people all over the place.”
The president argued that the issues he pointed out must be dealt with swiftly, as foreign leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are “coming over” to see and “you can’t have tents all over your beautiful, your once-magnificent plazas, lawns, and all.”
Despite criticizing the city’s government, Trump said he liked the city’s Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser and added: “I get along great with the mayor.”
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What Does Doj Data Say About Crime In Dc?
In January, the Justice Department published data showing that violent crime in D.C. in 2024 was down 35% compared to the previous year and at its lowest level in more than 30 years. The agency said homicides dropped by nearly one-third to 187, while robberies were down 39%. While steep decline in homicides came after a sharp spike in 2023, last year’s numbers were the lowest they have been since the start of the pandemic.
How Have D.c. Officials Responded To Trump’s Criticism?
While Bowser has not directly commented on Trump’s remarks, she made a post on X, which said: “Washington, DC is a world-class city.” The post included an infographic highlighting facts about the city, like its AAA bond rating from Moody’s, the number 1 ranking of its parks system in the country and violent crime being at its lowest level in three decades.
Key Background
Earlier this month, GOP lawmakers introduced a bill that would repeal “the District of Columbia Home Rule Act,” which would eliminate the city’s local government and allow the federal government to take over its governance. The so-called “BOWSER Act” was introduced by Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., who said it was in response to what they alleged was “the mayor and city council’s failure to prevent violent crime, corruption, and voting by non-citizens.” The city commemorated 50 years of home rule last year. Prior to the passage of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act in 1973, the city’s top leader was appointed by the president. Trump proposed a federal takeover of D.C. several times during his presidential campaign last year. He then met with Bowser at his Mar-a-Lago residence in December, where they discussed “shared priorities,” according to the mayor.
Tangent
Earlier this month, the Washington Post reported that Trump may be mulling an executive order to clear out homeless encampments in the city, and direct authorities to impose harsher punishment on both violent and petty crimes.
Further Reading
Trump expected to order a crackdown on D.C. crime, homeless encampments (Washington Post)
Trump says federal government should ‘take over’ DC, backing congressional GOP push (Associated Press)
