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President Donald Trump threatened to once again "federalize" Washington, D.C., amid a dispute with Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Trump placed the Metropolitan Police Department under executive branch control last month, deploying more than 2,000 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., as part of federalization that expired last Wednesday (September 10). Bower publicly claimed that Metro Police would no longer work alongside U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, with the exception being extremely limited circumstances, following the order's expiration.
"The Federal Government, under my auspices as President of the United States of America, has stepped into the complete criminal mess that was Washington, D.C., our Nation’s Capital," Trump wrote on his Truth Social account Monday (September 15) morning. "Because of this, D.C. has gone from one of the most dangerous and murder ridden cities in the U.S.A., and even around the World, to one of the safest - In just a few weeks. The 'place' is absolutely booming, with restaurants, stores, and businesses packed and, for the first time in decades, virtually NO CRIME. It has been a beautiful thing to watch but, now, under pressure from the Radical Left Democrats, Mayor Muriel Bowser, who has presided over this violent criminal takeover of our Capital for years, has informed the Federal Government that the Metropolitan Police Department will no longer cooperate with ICE in removing and relocating dangerous illegal aliens. If I allowed this to happen, CRIME would come roaring back. To the people and businesses of Washington, D.C., DON’T WORRY, I AM WITH YOU, AND WON’T ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN. I’ll call a National Emergency, and Federalize, if necessary!!! Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!! President DJT."
The president can take over the local police force for 30 days without needing the approval of Congress in adherence with the 1973 Home Rule Act granting Washington D.C. limited autonomy. Bowser announced that D.C. would return to the status quo following the conclusion of Trump's previous takeover.
“I don’t,” Bowser said when asked by reporters if she feared her comments would provoke Trump via WJLA. “We have a long history of working with federal law enforcement, and we’re going to continue to partner in ways that make sense for DC safety.”