February 20, 2025

Trump wants to take away DC home rule

 Reuters - President Donald Trump on Wednesday threw his support behind calls for a federal government takeover of Washington, D.C., saying the local government was "not doing the job" on crime and homelessness.

Republicans have in recent years sought to overturn home rule for the District of Columbia, a Democratic stronghold that has had a degree if self-governance since 1973 but is still largely beholden to the U.S. Congress.
"I think that we should govern District of Columbia," Trump told reporters on Air Force Once.
"We should run it strong, run it with law and order, make it absolutely flawlessly beautiful. And I think we should take over Washington, D.C. Make it safe," said Trump, who has made similar calls in the past.
Republican lawmakers introduced a bill two weeks ago that would eliminate the District of Columbia's local government, including the elected mayor and city council. It would also enable Congress to legislate for its 700,000 people, 44% of whom are African American.
 
The bill has been named the Bowser Act in reference to the Black mayor of D.C., Muriel Bowser.
Similar legislation in 2023 failed to pass and remains unlikely to pass under Senate rules


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