Local politicians endeavor to regain supervision over Metropolitan Police Department and National Guard, following Trump's activation of Home Rule.
In the heart of August 2025, the District of Columbia finds itself at a crossroads in its struggle for local autonomy, particularly with regards to its police department and National Guard.
The current situation stems from President Donald Trump's decision to declare a "crime emergency" in D.C. on August 11, 2025, which led to the invocation of Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act. This move granted the President temporary control over the Metropolitan Police Department for a period of up to 30 days.
This federal takeover has been met with controversy, with D.C. delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton denouncing it as an "egregious assault on D.C. home rule." Mayor Muriel Bowser, too, has expressed concern, calling the move "unsettling" and emphasizing the importance of D.C. having full control over its own National Guard.
The 30-day control period is nearing its end, and the future of D.C.'s local law enforcement hangs in the balance. Currently, Republicans controlling Congress are unlikely to end the emergency or the federal takeover, with some even considering legislation to allow the president to extend federal control indefinitely.
Senator Chris Van Hollen, in collaboration with Senator Susan Collins, has introduced bipartisan legislation to grant the District of Columbia full control over its National Guard and Metropolitan Police Department. This legislation, which aims to repeal the President's authority to federalize local police, passed the Senate unanimously.
The proposed District of Columbia Police Home Rule Act would also designate the D.C. mayor as Commander-in-Chief of the National Guard, further solidifying local control. However, as of August 2025, no such legislation has been enacted into law, and the Home Rule Act still includes congressional oversight and presidential authority, limiting D.C.'s full autonomy.
Mayor Bowser, despite the controversy, has also acknowledged that the takeover was not "totally surprising." She has stressed the importance of having full control over the DC police department to prevent "authoritarian overreach."
The necessity of D.C. statehood has also been underscored by the events, with Congresswoman Norton pointing to President Trump's actions as evidence of the need for full local control. The bipartisan legislation awaits a House vote, and the debate over local control of D.C.'s police and National Guard continues.
[1] Washington Post
[2] CNN
[3] Politico
[4] USA Today
[5] The Hill
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