Citing “out of control” crime in the nation’s capital, President Donald Trump is threatening to federalize Washington, D.C., suggesting the district prosecute minors as young as 14 as adults following a spate of youth-driven violent crime.
In a Truth Social media post Tuesday, the president criticized the district’s handling of crime, specifically its youth crime problem, pointing a finger at the city’s ‘soft on crime’ approach.
“Crime in Washington, D.C., is totally out of control. Local ‘youths’ and gang members, some only 14, 15, and 16-years-old, are randomly attacking, mugging, maiming, and shooting innocent Citizens, at the same time knowing that they will be almost immediately released,” Trump lamented. “They are not afraid of Law Enforcement because they know nothing ever happens to them, but it’s going to happen now! The Law in D.C. must be changed to prosecute these ‘minors’ as adults, and lock them up for a long time, starting at age 14.”
The president accompanied his post with a photo of what appears to be a young male bloodied from an apparent attack.
Trump warned the district to “get its act together,” or face losing its autonomy.
“The most recent victim was beaten mercilessly by local thugs. Washington, D.C., must be safe, clean, and beautiful for all Americans and, importantly, for the World to see. If D.C. doesn’t get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City, and run this City how it should be run,” Trump wrote. “Perhaps it should have been done a long time ago, then this incredible young man, and so many others, would not have had to go through the horrors of Violent Crime. If this continues, I am going to exert my powers, and FEDERALIZE this city.”
This isn’t the first time the president has made threatening comments regarding the federalization of the district.
A month after taking office, as previously reported by The Center Square, the president voiced his support for repealing the District of Columbia’s Home Rule Act, once again citing crime, homelessness and “graffiti.”
“I think that we should govern the District of Columbia,” Trump told reporters in February. “It’s so important, the D.C. situation. I think that we should run it strong, run it with law and order, make it absolutely flawless. And I think we should take over Washington, D.C.”
Trump echoed claims by Republican lawmakers, who had introduced legislation in Congress to repeal the Home Rule Act, that the district is plagued by violence and crime.
U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., introduced the legislation, saying the decision came in response to the “mayor and City Council’s failure to prevent violent crime, corruption, and voting by noncitizens.”
The duo tied the title of the legislation to Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser. The Bringing Oversight to Washington and Safety to Every Resident Act can be shortened to the BOWSER Act.
Trump has been critical of the mayor despite claiming to have a good relationship with her.
“I get along great with the mayor, but they’re not doing the job − too much crime, too much graffiti, too many tents on the lawns,” the president added. “There’s magnificent lawns and there’s tents. It’s a sad thing, homeless people all over the place.”
Trump said that when foreign leaders visit the district, they will be met with homelessness and tents all over the city.
“We can’t have that in Washington, D.C.,” he argued. “When they come in to see me – like Macron is coming, the prime minister of the U.K. is coming, all these people coming over to see me. We’ll have ultimately President Xi, we’ll have everybody. … You can’t let that happen.”
The District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973 was enacted by Congress and ratified by D.C. voters. The act gave the district residents limited autonomy over local affairs, allowing them to elect local leaders, including mayors and council members.
According to Article 1, Section 8, Clause 17 of the U.S. Constitution, Congress has the authority to manage the nation’s capital.
Despite the president’s and lawmakers’ claims, the Metropolitan Police Department reports that crime is decreasing. The violent crime rate dropped 35% between 2023 and 2024, according to the department, while property crimes were down 11% between 2023 and 2024. Overall, the district had a 15% reduction in crime between 2023 and 2024.
