Trump Administration Considers Federal Takeover of Crime Surge-Hit Washington DC

President Donald Trump has announced that the White House is actively considering a federal takeover of Washington, D.C., aiming to address the city’s rising crime rates and ensure the capital is "run flawlessly." This possible intervention follows several high-profile violent incidents, including the fatal shooting of a Capitol Hill intern and the murders of two Israeli Embassy staff members. While such a federal takeover would require congressional action to overturn the 1973 Home Rule Act—which currently grants D.C. residents the right to elect their own mayor and city council—Trump may pursue unilateral measures, such as taking control of the Metropolitan Police Department, if necessary. The Trump administration is reportedly in discussions with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, with whom President Trump has maintained a cooperative relationship, including joint efforts on a major football stadium project. Despite Bowser’s recent moves to repeal D.C.'s sanctuary city law to appease Republicans, Trump’s administration views the federal takeover as a potential solution to persistent crime and homelessness issues in the city. The administration emphasizes the goal of transforming Washington, D.C. into a safer, more efficiently governed capital.