Trump’s Return Sparks Fears of Federal Overreach in Washington D.C

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House, in Washington, D.C., officials and residents are voicing concerns about the district’s future under a leader who has pledged to crack down on blue cities and challenge local governance. Lacking the full rights of statehood, D.C.’s ability to self-govern remains vulnerable, sparking fears of heightened interference during Trump’s second term.

NBC News reported Wednesday that Trump has described Washington as a “filthy and crime-ridden embarrassment to our nation” and vowed to “take over” the city if elected. District leaders worry that his rhetoric signals further attempts to undermine the limited autonomy they have painstakingly achieved over decades.

“A second Trump presidency presents risks for D.C., which lacks the protections of statehood and full home rule,” Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, the district’s non-voting representative in Congress, told NBC. “I will continue to defend D.C. home rule from any attacks that may come our way.”

Holmes Norton can propose legislation and vote in committees but lacks the authority to vote on final bills in the full House. Her limited power underscores D.C.’s precarious position, as decisions about its governance often rest in the hands of Congress and the president.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser expressed similar concerns while emphasizing her administration’s readiness to confront challenges posed by Trump’s leadership. “We have been discussing and planning for many months in the case that the district has to defend itself and its values,” Bowser said during a press conference after Trump’s victory. She pledged to collaborate where possible, stating, “We’re ready to work together with the Trump administration.”

Historically, Washington’s progressive politics have clashed with Trump’s conservative agenda. In the 2020 election, D.C. voted overwhelmingly for Joe Biden, with Trump securing less than 20,000 votes. The margin widened in 2024, with Vice President Kamala Harris earning 92.5% of the vote. During Trump’s first term, D.C. residents frequently protested his policies, staging demonstrations at the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and other key locations.

Now, with Trump’s second term on the horizon, district officials fear his promise to “take over” the city may signal a more aggressive federal approach. Trump has suggested bypassing local leadership entirely, declaring, “I wouldn’t even call the mayor.” For Washington, D.C., Trump’s return presents a renewed struggle for autonomy in a city already grappling with the limitations of its non-state status.