politics
Trump Says Federal Government Could Assume Control of Washington if Progressive Wins Mayoral Primary
President Donald Trump said the federal government might assume direct control of Washington, D.C., if a progressive candidate wins the June 16 Democratic mayoral primary. The comment came days before voters choose a successor to outgoing Mayor Muriel Bowser.
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And run it on a federal basis if a progressive candidate wins the city’s Democratic mayoral primary. He made the statement to reporters in the Oval Office without naming a specific candidate.
Council member Janeese Lewis George, a self-described democratic socialist who leads recent polls ahead of the June 16 primary. D.C. Council member at-large Kenyan McDuffie in a recent Washington Post–George Mason University Schar School poll.
“I wouldn’t like it – and maybe we take back Washington, run it on the federal basis,” Trump said. “We won’t put up with it. ” The Democratic nominee won the 2022 mayor’s race by nearly 60 points in heavily Democratic Washington, making the June 16 primary the decisive contest.
Trump has sought a larger federal role in the District during his second term, citing concerns about crime, homelessness and public safety. In August 2025 he deployed about 800 National Guard troops after declaring a public safety emergency, with several Republican-led states also sending Guard members.
The federal takeover of the city’s police department ended in September 2025, though National Guard deployments have continued.
U.S. D.C. The city has operated under its current Home Rule system since December 24, 1973, when the Home Rule Act allowed residents to elect a mayor and city council.
