Trump takes the reins! The plan to show Washington D.C. right into a stronghold of legislation and order.

Yesterday, President Donald Trump made a statement that has shaken the political foundations of the United States: he wants the federal government to take direct control of Washington D.C.

With a speech full of determination, Trump stated aboard Air Force One that the capital must be governed «with a firm hand, with law and order» to transform it into an «absolutely impeccable» place.

His goal? To eradicate crime, clean up the streets, and restore the city’s splendor, which he believes has been lost under local administration. But what is behind this radical proposal, and what are its implications for the future of the capital? Let’s break it down.

The idea is not new in Trump’s circle. During his 2024 presidential campaign, the magnate had already painted Washington D.C. as a «nest of crime and filth,» promising a federal intervention to «save it.»

Now, barely a month into his second term, Trump seems determined to fulfill that promise. In his words, the current local government, led by Mayor Muriel Bowser, «is not doing the job.»

«I like the mayor. I get along very well with the mayor, but they’re not doing the job. Too much crime, too much graffiti, too many tents on the lawn,» Trump said.

He pointed to the excess of violent crimes, homeless encampments, and graffiti as evidence of a «total failure.» But is the situation really as bad as he describes?

Numbers don’t lie, and crime has been a persistent problem in Washington D.C. According to data from the Metropolitan Police Department, homicides in 2024 increased by 35% compared to the previous year, reaching a total of 274 murders.

This represents a rate of 39.7 homicides per 100,000 residents, one of the highest among major U.S. cities.

Additionally, minor crimes such as theft and shoplifting have also been on the rise, fueling the perception of insecurity. Trump is not inventing a problem; he is amplifying it to justify his intervention.

But not everything is that simple. Trump’s proposal comes at a time when Republicans in Congress have already set their sights on D.C.’s self-governance.

On February 6, 2025, Representatives Andy Ogles and Mike Lee introduced a bill titled «Bringing Oversight to Washington and Safety to Every Resident» (BOWSER Act).

This legislation aims to eliminate the locally elected government, including the mayor and city council, returning the city’s administration to direct federal control.

By endorsing this initiative, Trump is aligning himself with a conservative agenda that sees D.C.’s self-rule as a failed leftist experiment.

Read the full text of the BOWSER Act HERE.

Why So Much Interest in Washington D.C.? For Trump, the capital is not just a city; it is a symbol. «You can’t have tents everywhere when foreign leaders come to see me,» he said, referring to visits like that of French President Emmanuel Macron or the British Prime Minister.

For him, the image of D.C. reflects the strength of the nation, and homeless encampments in the «magnificent gardens» are a personal and political affront. It is as much an aesthetic vision as an ideological one: a spotless capital as a showcase for his administration.

Trump’s plan includes an executive order that, according to White House sources, will be issued in the coming days. This order would direct federal agencies to impose harsher penalties for violent and minor crimes, clear homeless encampments, and remove graffiti throughout the city.

Additionally, it would focus on federal parks managed by the National Park Service, signaling that Trump wants to start with areas already under his administration’s direct control. It is a hardline approach reminiscent of his «law and order» policies from his first term.

Mayor Bowser has attempted to build bridges with Trump, noting in December 2024, after a meeting at Mar-a-Lago, that both want «a beautiful and safe city.» However, her tone changed after Trump’s latest remarks, warning that any attempt to dismantle the local government will face resistance.

The history of Washington D.C. adds another layer to this debate. Since 1973, when the Home Rule Act was passed, D.C. residents have fought for control over their own affairs. However, Congress has always retained the authority to veto local laws—a power that Republicans now seek to expand.

Before 1973, D.C. was under direct federal control, a period many conservatives view nostalgically but which self-governance advocates consider oppressive. Trump and his allies seem eager to turn back the clock to that past.

Is This Plan Legally Feasible? Legally, Congress has the constitutional authority to govern D.C., according to Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, which grants exclusive jurisdiction over the district.

However, dissolving an elected local government would require overcoming significant legal and political challenges. Democrats, who control a Congressional minority, have already vowed to block any such legislation.

In practical terms, Trump’s intervention could have an immediate impact on crime. An increase in federal law enforcement presence and stricter penalties could lower homicide and robbery rates, at least in the short term.

The contrast with the left is evident. While progressives advocate for social justice solutions, Trump offers an authoritarian vision: control, cleanliness, and order at any cost.

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