Trump says federal government should ‘take over’ DC, backing congressional GOP push

President Donald Trump on Wednesday threw his support behind congressional efforts for a federal takeover of the nation’s capital, saying he approves putting the District of Columbia back under direct federal control.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump complained about crime and homelessness in the district, saying, “I think we should take over Washington, D.C. — make it safe.”

He added, “I think that we should govern District of Columbia.”

A view of the U.S. Capitol Building on February 18, 2025 in Washington, DC
Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, “I think we should take over Washington, D.C. — make it safe.”Getty Images

Under terms of the city’s Home Rule authority, Congress already vets all D.C. laws and can outright overturn them.

Some congressional Republicans have sought to go further, eroding decades of the city’s limited autonomy and putting it back under direct federal control, as it was at its founding.

Trump said he liked District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser personally, but complained about the city’s governance.

“They’re not doing the job,” Trump said.

“Too much crime, too much — too many tents on the lawns — these magnificent lawns.”

Mayor Muriel Bowser, conducts a news conference on The Addressing Crime Trends Now Act (ACT Now) "new legislation aimed at reducing crime in the District," at the Metropolitan Police Department Fourth District Station on Monday, October 23, 2023.
Trump also said he does have admiration and respect for D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser but complained about how the city is currently being run.CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

He argued that he can’t have sights of homelessness when he hosts foreign leaders in Washington.

“You just can’t let that happen,” Trump said.

“You can’t have tents on all your beautiful — your once magnificent plaza and lawns.”