President Donald Trump mentioned Tuesday he’s weighing a federal takeover of Washington, D.C., spouting bogus claims about rampant crime within the nation’s capital, and hinted he may pursue the identical with New York Metropolis.
Trump, who first floated the idea in February, introduced up the takeover within the Oval Workplace when a reporter requested him who he thinks Republicans ought to assist within the upcoming New York mayoral race. Trump mentioned he’s “not getting concerned” however went on to slam Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani as a “catastrophe” and “communist” who could be dangerous for the town.
“We have now super energy on the White Home to run locations when now we have to,” Trump then mentioned earlier than disclosing he’s already “testing” a plan to take over Washington.
“We’re enthusiastic about doing it, to be trustworthy with you. We wish to. We would like a capital that’s run flawlessly,” he mentioned.
“We may run D.C. I imply, we’re taking a look at D.C. We don’t need crime in D.C. We would like the town to run effectively,” he additionally mentioned, including that the town’s mayor, Democrat Muriel Bowser, is “working very intently” with White Home chief of employees Susie Wiles.
Bowser’s workplace declined to remark when requested about Trump’s remarks.
Bloomberg through Getty Photographs
“We might run it so good,” Trump mentioned of the district. “It might be run so correctly. We’d get the most effective particular person to run it. The crime could be right down to a minimal ― could be a lot much less.”
Violent crime in Washington hit its lowest point in 30 years in 2024 and is down 35% from 2023, in accordance with the town’s Metropolitan Police Department. That features a 32% discount in homicides and 39% drop in robberies. In 2025, crime charges have continued to plummet.
When Trump first raised the concept in February, he was particularly centered on the presence of unhoused individuals within the nation’s capital.
“Too many tents on the lawns — these magnificent lawns,” he mentioned, including, “You possibly can’t have tents on all of your stunning — your as soon as magnificent plaza and lawns.”
Congress already has the authority to vet the district’s legal guidelines and overturn them, however Trump has but to supply any data on how he would pursue a federal takeover of the town.
Some Republican lawmakers have pushed to dissolve 1973’s Residence Rule Act, which handed a few of Congress’ powers over the town to native authorities. Nevertheless, Republicans are unlikely to attain that with no filibuster-proof majority within the Senate.