President Trump suggested on Air Force One that the federal government should take control of Washington, D.C., endorsing a Republican stance against the District’s local governance. He called for strong federal oversight to improve law and order and beautify the city. Since gaining home rule in 1973, D.C. residents can elect a mayor and council, but Congress retains significant authority, including budget control. D.C. lacks full congressional representation despite its large population, leading many residents to advocate for statehood. Statehood, seen as a racial justice issue, faces Republican opposition, who cite concerns about local government effectiveness and crime.
On Wednesday, President Trump suggested that the federal government should take control of Washington, D.C., reigniting a long-standing and contentious debate regarding the governance of the nation’s capital.
“I believe we ought to govern the District of Columbia,” Mr. Trump stated to reporters aboard Air Force One. “We should manage it effectively, ensuring law and order, and make it exceptionally beautiful.”
His remarks align him with Republicans advocating for the dismantling of the local government structure in Washington, placing him in opposition to a majority of residents and many Democrats who support making the District of Columbia the 51st state.
Local governance, with restrictions
Since 1973, residents of Washington have been entitled to elect their mayor and a council for local governance, a right granted by Congress with the approval of home rule for the district.
However, the Home Rule Act imposes certain limitations. All legislation enacted by the Council of the District of Columbia requires Congressional review before it can become law, and Congress retains the power to amend or revoke these laws. Additionally, Congress oversees the city’s budget, and the president appoints judges for the district.
In 1961, the 23rd Amendment granted Washington’s residents the right to vote for president and vice president. Nevertheless, the district’s 700,000 residents—more numerous than the populations of Vermont or Wyoming—lack true representation in Congress. They have a delegate in the House of Representatives who can partake in committee work and legislative discussions, but is unable to vote on bills before the full chamber.
‘Taxation without representation’
For those living in Washington, the reality of paying federal taxes without congressional representation has been a longstanding grievance. In 2000, “Taxation Without Representation” was added to the city’s standard license plates. Furthermore, in 2016, an overwhelming 86 percent of residents supported statehood for the District of Columbia.
“Like you, we raise families, pay taxes, serve on juries, defend our country, and work together to build strong, caring communities,” a statehood initiative website run by the city’s government states.
Some proponents of statehood argue that it is also a matter of racial justice. Data reveals that nearly 45 percent of Washington’s population is Black, and the city government has noted that if it were to become a state, the District of Columbia would be “the only plurality-Black state in the nation.”
The notion of statehood garners strong backing from Democrats, especially since Washington’s voters have historically leaned heavily toward this party. Given these electoral trends, statehood for the District of Columbia would practically ensure two additional Democratic seats in the Senate.
Blockade for Republicans
Numerous attempts over the years to set the District of Columbia on a path to statehood have been thwarted in Congress. Republicans have firmly opposed these initiatives, proposing their own legislation aimed at diluting or abolishing home rule altogether. They have characterized Democrat-supported efforts for statehood as unconstitutional power grabs.
Republican lawmakers often criticize the city’s government for perceived incompetence, particularly regarding crime. Some contend that effective administration of Washington necessitates federal oversight.
On Wednesday, Mr. Trump reiterated this critique, asserting there was “too much crime, too much graffiti” in the city, thus justifying a federal takeover.
Though Washington faced one of the highest murder rates among major U.S. cities in the 1990s, significant improvements have occurred since then. According to police statistics, total violent crime in 2024 was at its lowest point in over three decades in the district.