President Trump Escalates Tensions Over Washington D.C.'s Governance
President Donald Trump escalated tensions over Washington D.C.'s governance on Wednesday evening, suggesting he is contemplating federalizing the city's police force and deploying the National Guard "possibly very swiftly." He criticized the Democratic-led capital, portraying it as plagued by violence.
Proposal to Revoke D.C. Autonomy
Trump also proposed that Congress consider revoking the Home Rule Act, the longstanding legislation that grants D.C. residents limited political autonomy, including the election of a mayor and city council.
"Legal experts are already examining this possibility," Trump stated.
Crime Trends and Political Commentary
Over the past two years, violent crime in D.C. has decreased, reversing a previous surge in homicides in 2023 that made the city one of the most dangerous in the nation. This spike led Congress to block proposed changes to the city's criminal laws and brought the city into the spotlight during the presidential campaign cycle. During his campaign, Trump depicted D.C. as dysfunctional, criticizing local officials for not doing enoug...