D.C. Mayor Bowser condemns President Trump's unprecedented takeover of the city's police department, calling it "unsettling," despite the action being legally permissible under the Home Rule Act. This move follows Trump's false claims of a surging crime rate in D.C., a city with violent crime at a 30-year low. The mayor's response and the implications for D.C. residents are sparking national debate
DC Mayor Bowser Responds to Unprecedented Trump Takeover: While acknowledging the unsettling and unprecedented nature of President Trump's seizure of D.C.'s police force, Mayor Bowser assures residents of continued city government operations and collaboration with the federal government. She notes that while unsurprising given past rhetoric, the city will strive to maintain its services and work with federal authorities to address city needs
Following President Trump's controversial announcement deploying National Guard troops and seizing control of D.C.'s police force—a move he justified with false claims of a spiraling crime rate—Mayor Bowser addressed the unprecedented situation. This action comes after Trump, a convicted felon who pardoned January 6th rioters, falsely declared D.C.'s crime rate "totally out of control," despite it being at a 30-year low. The mayor's response highlighted the unsettling nature of this power grab, while acknowledging the legal framework allowing temporary presidential control of D.C. police
Despite President Trump's claims, Washington D.C.'s violent crime rate is currently at its lowest point in 30 years
D.C. Mayor Bowser's Response to Trump's Police Takeover: Following the Law, Ignoring the Lies? Despite President Trump's unprecedented seizure of D.C.'s police force – fueled by false claims of a crime crisis – Mayor Bowser defended her actions, citing the Home Rule Act. Her press conference, however, notably lacked condemnation of Trump's actions and the chilling effect on residents. While legally permissible for 30 days, the mayor's response to Trump's blatant misrepresentation of D.C.'s low crime rate has drawn criticism
DC Mayor Bowser acknowledges President Trump's legal authority to temporarily control the city's police force for 30 days. However, her response to Trump's false claims of a crime emergency and the militarization of the city, impacting its 700,000+ residents, primarily Black and brown, is criticized for its lack of condemnation and potential chilling effect
Trump's federal takeover of D.C. police: Mayor Bowser and Police Chief Smith downplay unprecedented power grab. Despite the mayor's concerns, both Bowser and Chief Smith framed the action as a collaborative effort between local and federal law enforcement, emphasizing pre-existing working relationships
But the mayor pushed back at one point when asked if she expects Trump’s takeover to play out in the same way that local and federal officials team up for special events in the city.
Mayor Bowser rejects minimizing President Trump's unprecedented police takeover of Washington D.C., citing concerns about the false claims justifying this action and the infringement on the city's autonomy
DC Mayor Bowser warned Congress in 2022 that a Trump-led federalization of the city's police force would be disastrous, potentially leading to widespread violence. Her concerns, raised amidst racial justice protests, resurfaced Monday following Trump's unprecedented takeover of the D.C. police, a move she called "unsettling." This action, despite D.C.'s historically low violent crime rate, raises serious questions about the safety and well-being of the city's residents
Mayor Bowser expressed concern over President Trump's D.C. police takeover, highlighting the potential for innocent citizens to be unjustly targeted and driven to criminal activity—a scenario she termed a "disaster." This unprecedented action, despite D.C.'s historically low crime rates, raises serious questions about civil liberties and the potential for escalating tensions
D.C. Mayor Bowser vows daily action to resolve President Trump's unprecedented, and arguably false, emergency declaration seizing control of the city's police force, referring to it as a "so-called emergency
D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton condemned President Trump's actions as a historic assault on D.C. home rule, emphasizing the lack of resident support for this unprecedented takeover of the city's police department
DC Mayor Bowser criticizes President Trump's deployment of the D.C. National Guard, calling it a pretext for a crime surge unsupported by data. She highlights the President's absence during the January 6th Capitol attack, contrasting it with his current actions. Bowser asserts the D.C. National Guard should fall under the control of D.C.'s chief executive, mirroring the authority governors have over their respective Guard units
DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb condemns President Trump's unprecedented, unlawful seizure of the city's police department, calling the actions "unnecessary" and a blatant overreach of power
“There is no crime emergency in the District of Columbia. Violent crime in DC reached historic 30-year lows last year, and is down another 26% so far this year,” Schwalb said on social media. “We are considering all of our options and will do what is necessary to protect the rights and safety of District residents.”
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Members of Congress from the capital region also issued a joint statement condemning Trump’s actions.
“Donald Trump has personally incited more crime in Washington D.C. than perhaps anyone else living,” they wrote. “Trump’s ‘temporary’ takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department is not intended to prevent crime, it is a soft launch of authoritarianism.”
The statement, which lumps Trump’s latest actions into his pattern of “seeking showy displays of power,” is signed by Democratic Reps. Don Beyer (Va.), Steny Hoyer (Md.), Jamie Raskin (Md.), Jennifer McClellan (Va.), Glenn Ivey (Md.), Suhas Subramanyam (Va.), Eugene Vindman (Va.) and April McClain Delaney (Md.).
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