The battle over federal policing in Washington D.C. is heading to Congress, with Republicans seeking expanded presidential control and Democrats defending local authority. The U.S. Capitol, known for its legislative and historical significance, is now also becoming a focal point in the debate over the city’s governance. With thousands of National Guard troops patrolling the streets, the role of these troops depends on Congress’s decisions regarding the Home Rule Act, which grants the president the power to take over police operations during emergencies.
Washington, D.C. is a federal district, ultimately answering to Congress and the president. Since 1973, the city has had a measure of local control through the Home Rule Act, which established a city council and mayor. However, Congress can still intervene and override local authority. As Congress returns to session in September, the issue of Washington, D.C.’s home rule and the role of federal police in the capital will dominate lawmakers’ attention.
President Trump has taken advantage of the legal provisions of the Home Rule Act by deploying National Guard troops to the streets of Washington. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., is pushing legislation to extend this presidential control for six months and wants to revise the provisions for future emergencies. Similarly, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., and Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., are proposing measures that grant President Trump long-term or indefinite control over D.C. operations. These proposals are part of a broader Republican strategy to assert federal influence over the city.
However, the legislative process is not a given. The House, which is currently controlled by Republicans, holds a narrow majority, and while some members support the idea of federal oversight, others are concerned about the precedent this may set for future administrations. Additionally, passage through the Senate, where Republicans hold only 53 seats, presents significant challenges, as the Senate typically does not show the same level of interest in D.C. issues as the House.
Democrats are expected to push for legislation to protect D.C. from such interventions or to reverse President Trump’s actions. However, they face challenges as well. Crime in big cities is a contentious issue, and Republicans are leveraging the perception of instability in D.C. to rally support among their base. The Democrats must balance defending the city’s autonomy with the need to appeal to swing voters in the heartland.
Meanwhile, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., has initiated inquiries into the handling of D.C. police affairs, including allegations of altered crime reports by former commanders. As Congress faces the looming threat of a government shutdown in October, the focus may temporarily shift, providing a brief respite for D.C. local governance. Nevertheless, the federal oversight of D.C. is unlikely to disappear, as Congress continues to function as a de facto super-city council for the capital.