Trump says the federal government should “take over” Washington, DC

President Trump said Wednesday that the federal government should take over Washington, D.C., and walk to the decades-long, divisive question of how the country’s capital is run.

“I think we should govern the District of Columbia,” Trump told Air Force 1 reporters. “I think we should do it strongly, do it in law and order, and make it perfectly beautiful.”

Trump’s comments opposed Republicans’ camps who wanted him to end Washington’s local government system, as well as locals and many Democrats who wanted the Columbia district to become the 51st state.

Home rules, catch

Washingtonians have been able to elect mayors and councils since 1973, when council approved the district’s home rules.

However, there are restrictions on the Home Rules Act. meeting Check all laws Passed before the District of Columbia Council became law; The ability to modify or abolish law. The council also has authority over the city’s budget, with the president appointing district judges.

Washington residents have the right to vote for president and vice president. 1961 Through the 23rd revision. However, the district’s 700,000 residents – more than the population Vermont or Wyoming – In effect, there is no representation in the Congress. they have Representative In the House of Representatives, you can participate in committees and legislative discussions, but you cannot vote for the bill in a complete room.

“Tax without representative”

For Washington residents, the fact that they pay federal taxes but have no voices in Congress has long been stabbed. In 2000, the city said,Taxation without expression“On a standard license plate. And in 2016, the overwhelming majority of residents 86% – Voted in favor of the District of Columbia state.

“Like you, we raise our families, pay taxes, serve at the Juice, fight for our country, and work together to create a strong and caring community,” the city said. Read the government-run state websites.

Some supporters of the nation frame it as a question of racial justice. Almost 45% of Washington’s population is black. Data from the city governmentsays that if it becomes a nation, the District of Columbia will become “the only multiple black nation in the country.”

The nation’s thinking is particularly badly skewed by voters in Washington in favour of the party. Based on these election patterns, the District of Columbia nation will effectively assure two more Democrats in the Senate.

No Go for Republicans

Decades of repeated efforts to put the District of Columbia on the path to the nation have failed in Congress. there was Solid opposition from Republicansintroduced his own laws that expel or even eliminated the District of Columbia home rules. They are also known as Democrat-backed push against the unconstitutional state Power Grab.

Republican Congress members often accused the city government of incompetence and inaction, particularly on crime. Some have been discussed The only way to effectively implement Washington is through federal governance.

Trump repeated the criticism on Wednesday, saying there was a “”There are too many crimesThere are too many graffiti in the city and requires a federal acquisition.

In the 1990s, Washington had one of the highest murder rates among major US cities, but has since declined significantly. Overall violent crime in 2024 was the lowest in the district in over 30 years. According to police data.