Defend D.C. Self-Governance: Stop Federal Overreach in Local Policing

Washington, D.C. has long fought for the right to govern its own affairs, despite lacking full voting representation in Congress. The recent federal orders to replace the locally-chosen police chief with a federally-appointed commissioner are an unprecedented assault on the District's autonomy and the democratic rights of its residents.

The Home Rule Act was designed to balance federal interests with local self-determination. Federal authority over local policing is strictly limited to genuine emergencies and must remain temporary. The Trump administration's actions—citing a non-existent emergency despite a 35% drop in violent crime—violate both the letter and spirit of the law.

Disrupting the MPD's command structure threatens public safety, creates operational chaos, and undermines the will of D.C. voters. This is not just about policing—it's about whether local democracy can survive federal overreach. If allowed to stand, this takeover sets a dangerous precedent for federal interference in local governance nationwide.

We demand that federal authorities immediately cease all efforts to override D.C.'s locally-elected leadership, respect the Home Rule Act, and allow the Metropolitan Police Department to remain under the control of D.C. residents and their chosen representatives.