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4d ago

Trump Administration Tests Plan for Federal Takeover of Washington, D.C.

White House coordination with Mayor Bowser on a governance pilot has alarmed D.C. officials who warn it threatens home rule.

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President Donald Trump promised to "straighten out New York" but didn't give specifics on the authority he would invoke to take control over the city. During his first administration, Trump made similar threats of taking over the city. (ANGELA WEISS/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES/FILE)
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Donald Trump suggested federal control over Washington, DC, and potentially New York City to address rising crime. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno/File Photo

Overview

  • President Trump said his administration is "testing" a plan to take federal control of Washington, D.C., citing the White House’s "tremendous power" to reduce crime.
  • White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles is coordinating a pilot initiative with Mayor Muriel Bowser to assess federal management of the district’s governance.
  • Republican Senator Mike Lee has introduced the BOWSER Act to repeal the 1973 Home Rule Act and grant Congress direct authority over D.C. laws.
  • Metropolitan Police preliminary data show violent crime down 25% year-to-date and overall crime down 8%, findings cited to justify federal intervention.
  • D.C. leaders, including Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, have condemned the proposal as undermining democratic representation and home rule.