Trump is dead serious about this.
President Donald Trump expressed his support on Wednesday for a federal takeover of Washington, D.C., advocating for bringing the nation’s capital back under full federal control. Speaking to reporters on the Air Force One, Trump pointed to concerns over the rise in homelessness and crime within the city, calling for a stronger federal presence to restore order and safety.
“I think we should take over Washington, D.C. and force it to become a safer place,” Trump said. “The federal government needs to be in charge of governing the District of Columbia.”
Currently, D.C. operates under Home Rule, which grants the city limited self-governance, while Congress retains the power to review and overturn local laws. Some Republican lawmakers have proposed further diminishing the city’s autonomy, suggesting a return to the historical precedent when D.C. was under direct federal governance.
Though Trump noted his personal respect for D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, he expressed frustration with the city’s leadership, claiming that local officials are failing to effectively address the challenges it faces. “They’re not doing the job,” Trump remarked, specifically pointing to the surge in crime and the increasing visibility of homelessness.
Trump’s criticism extended to the city’s appearance, particularly the sight of tents in public spaces. “There’s just too much crime, too many tents on the lawns,” he stated. “You can’t have that in the heart of our nation’s capital.”
As president, Trump emphasized that such conditions are unacceptable, especially when hosting foreign dignitaries. “You can’t have these issues visible when you’re welcoming world leaders,” he said. “The once beautiful plazas and lawns should not be overrun with tents.”
In pushing for more direct federal oversight of D.C., Trump aims to address what he sees as the failures of local governance and the need for a more orderly, law-abiding capital.