U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that his administration is considering a federal takeover of Washington, D.C. governance and hinted at possible intervention in New York due to dissatisfaction with local leadership.
Speaking during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump claimed that the federal government has "tremendous power" to run cities like D.C. if necessary. He noted that his chief of staff, Susie Wiles, is in close contact with Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, a proponent of D.C. statehood. "We could run D.C. We’re looking at it,” Trump said. “We would run it so good… The crime would be down to a minimum.”
While Trump has previously made similar threats, he has not acted on them. Currently, Washington, D.C. operates under the Home Rule Act, allowing local elections but leaving Congress with control over the budget. To revoke home rule, Congress would need to pass legislation, which Trump would have to sign.
D.C. statehood, which would grant voting representation in Congress to its 700,000 residents, is supported by Democrats but opposed by most Republicans due to the potential political advantage it would provide Democrats.
Trump also took aim at Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist and the Democratic nominee in New York’s upcoming mayoral race, calling him a "disaster." He suggested federal involvement in New York may also be on the table. “We’re going to straighten out New York… We’re going to make New York great again also,” he said.
Neither Bowser’s office nor Mamdani’s representatives commented on Trump’s remarks.
Trump’s statements reflect his continued criticism of Democratic-led cities and hint at a controversial expansion of federal influence over local governance.