PRINCIPLE

July 9, 2025

Attorney General Bondi invokes Home Rule Act to command D.C. police force

Trump considers federal takeover of Washington D.C. despite local self-governance.

On July 8, 2025, former President Donald Trump said he might take over governance of Washington, D.C., while criticizing local officials and comparing them to New York’s mayor.

This move exposes a key quirk in American federalism: even with a locally elected mayor and council under the 1973 Home Rule Act, Congress and the president can step in to block or rewrite D.C.’s laws. It’s a reminder that nearly 700,000 residents live under local rules that can be overturned at any moment by federal law,

Trump invoked Section 740 of D.C. Home Rule Act August 11, placing city police under federal control after Edward Coristine, 19-year-old DOGE worker, got attacked in carjacking attempt August 3. One assault triggers citywide federal takeover.

Section 740 allows presidents to use D.C. police for "federal purposes" during emergencies but expires after 30 days unless Congress extends it. Trump must notify House and Senate committees within 48 hours.

Home Rule Act of 1973 ended century-long federal control, letting D.C. residents elect mayor and council. Congress keeps ultimate authority over legislation and the citys $16 billion budget—700,000 people, zero voting power.

Attorney General Pam BondiPam Bondi now commands 3,800 D.C. police officers. Mayor Muriel Bowser said the city will comply while pushing D.C. statehood to prevent future federal interference.

Trump created D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force in March mandating immigration enforcement and monument restoration. Called the city "filthy and crime-ridden" despite dramatic crime drops.

D.C. violent crime fell dramatically—carjackings dropped from 959 in 2023 to 500 in 2024, just 188 through August 2025. July marked lowest monthly total since May 2020. Facts dont match Trump narrative.

Republican Senators Mike Lee and Rep. Andy Ogles introduced bills February 2025 to completely eliminate home rule. Both House and Senate now have active legislation to end D.C. democratic governance entirely.

700,000 D.C. residents voted 96% against Trump in 2024. He threatens similar federal takeovers in Chicago, Baltimore, Los Angeles—democracy becomes punishment for political opposition.

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What You Can Do

1

Contact House Oversight at 202-225-5051 demanding investigation of Trump abusing emergency powers to federalize local police without legitimate security justification

2

Support D.C. statehood through DC Vote at dcvote.org working to grant 700,000 residents full congressional representation and protection from federal interference

3

Join ACLU at aclu.org opposing federal takeover of local governments, defending democratic governance and local autonomy from authoritarian overreach

4

Contact Senate Homeland Security at 202-224-2627 urging oversight hearings on presidential emergency authority and legislation preventing political weaponization

5

Advocate for congressional legislation limiting Section 740 authority through specific threat requirements and mandatory congressional approval after 30 days

6

Support D.C. organizations defending home rule through D.C. Appleseed at dcappleseed.org monitoring federal overreach and protecting resident voting rights