In a dramatic shift in governance, President Donald Trump announced the direct federal control of Washington, DC during a press conference on Monday, citing concerns over crime in the nation’s capital.
Claiming a crime spree that lacks substantiated evidence, President Trump proclaimed it a “liberation day” for Washington, DC, as he invoked Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act.
Under this declaration, Trump stated he would place the Metropolitan Police Department under federal control and deploy 800 National Guard troops to restore law and order.
He emphasized that the National Guard would be empowered to perform their duties effectively, stating that the government would be prepared to bring in the military if necessary.
This announcement was met with skepticism, as critics voiced concerns that such a move undermines the autonomy of residents in a city that has long sought greater self-governance, including a push for statehood.
In a significant shift in leadership roles, Trump declared that US Attorney General Pam Bondi would oversee the Metropolitan Police Department in what he labeled a “public safety emergency.”
Despite claims of high crime rates in the city, data released by the Department of Justice indicated that violent crime had actually decreased in Washington, DC, with 2024 marking the lowest crime rates in thirty years before Trump took office.
Last week, Trump had already enhanced federal law enforcement presence in the city, deploying agents from various federal agencies to work alongside local police.
Dismissing these developments as a mere publicity stunt, critics highlighted the focus on issues other than crime, such as local governance and community action.
In his remarks, Trump hinted at similar actions in major cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, asserting that these cities must undertake a “self-clean up” to avoid similar interventions from the federal government, while criticizing local and state leadership.
Previously, Trump ordered the deployment of the National Guard and Marine Corps to Los Angeles during immigrant-rights protests in June, along with actions taken during his first term in response to Black Lives Matter protests in Washington, DC.
Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser contested the effectiveness of deploying the National Guard for local law enforcement, suggesting that increased funding for prosecutors could lead to more substantive solutions.
In a striking statement, Bowser refuted Trump’s dire portrayal of the capital as among the “most dangerous cities anywhere in the world,” branding such comparisons as hyperbolic and erroneous during an MSNBC interview.
Further inflaming tensions, Trump targeted the city’s homeless population, insisting they must be cleared from the area immediately without specifying relocation plans.
In a controversial tweet, he stated, “The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY. We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital. The Criminals, you don’t have to move out. We’re going to put you in jail where you belong.”
While Trump does wield considerable authority over Washington, DC, particularly in law enforcement matters, the limitations of the 1973 Home Rule Act restrict his capacity to exert more comprehensive control over the city.
To increase federal oversight, Congress would need to repeal or amend the Home Rule Act, which allows the District residents to elect their own local officials.
image source from：aljazeera
