Violent Attack Reignites BOWSER Act Debate as Trump Floats Federal Takeover of DC
Sen. Mike Lee, a conservative senator from Utah, has once again pushed for his BOWSER Act, which would federalize Washington D.C., following an attack on a former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer, Edward ‘Big Balls’ Coristine. The incident has reignited a debate over the District’s governance, with Donald Trump’s recent threats to take federal control of the city adding fuel to the controversy.
The BOWSER Act, first introduced in 2019 by Lee and Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee, aims to reassert Congress’ authority over the District by repealing the Home Rule Act of 1970. This law established a city council and mayor, reducing the role of the federal government in D.C. affairs. The bill has not advanced beyond committee since February, but Trump’s recent comments have brought renewed attention to the issue. Lee argues that while the Constitution federalizes D.C., Congress needs to play its role in lawmaking. He stated, ‘The Constitution already federalizes D.C. We just need Congress to do its job — and reassert its lawmaking power over our nation’s capital city.’
Trump’s intervention in the discourse has added urgency to the discussion. In a social media post, he stated, ‘If D.C. doesn’t get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City.’ The former president’s comments are part of a broader trend of calls for increased federal oversight of the city, particularly in response to concerns over crime and criticisms of the District’s attempts to reform its criminal code.
Legal experts have weighed in on the potential implications of the BOWSER Act. Zack Smith of the Heritage Foundation, a former prosecutor, noted that Congress has the authority to legislate the District, and that Trump and Lee’s calls for a reevaluation of D.C.’s status are part of a broader consensus that the city’s current system may not be functioning as intended. Smith pointed out that Congress played a role in overturning proposed changes to the criminal code in D.C. that would have significantly altered sentencing guidelines, highlighting the federal government’s role as a ‘backstop’ for local governance.
The debate over the BOWSER Act is part of a larger conversation about the balance of power between the federal government and local authorities in D.C. While some lawmakers argue that increased federal oversight could help address crime and improve public safety, others believe that the city’s autonomy is essential to its governance. The ongoing discussions underscore the deepening tensions over the city’s status and the role of the federal government in its administration.