President Donald Trump said on June 11, 2026, that he may pursue a federal takeover of Washington, D.C., if Janeese Lewis George wins the Democratic mayoral primary.
Trump’s Direct Warning
Trump made the comment to reporters at the White House.
“I wouldn’t like it, and maybe we take back Washington, run it on the federal basis,” he said. “We won’t put up with it. We’re not going to lose our businesses. By the way, Washington now is a safe, beautiful place.”
The primary is set for June 16. Lewis George, a Ward 4 D.C. Council member and self-described democratic socialist, leads polls against candidates including Kenyan McDuffie.
Immediate Backlash in D.C.
Lewis George called the remarks an attack on democracy and local self-government. Other D.C. officials and progressives criticized the statement as a threat to home rule.
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Washington, D.C. operates under limited home rule granted by Congress, which retains ultimate authority over the district.
Lewis George was elected to the council in 2020. Her mayoral campaign centers on housing affordability, tenants’ rights, and public services.
She supports building more than 72,000 affordable units, expanding universal childcare, and reforming zoning rules. She has opposed federal interventions in local policing and immigration enforcement.
Prior Federal Actions
In 2025, Trump deployed National Guard troops and federal agents to Washington, D.C., over crime concerns. His administration reported drops in some offenses, though local leaders disputed the scale and impact of those measures.
Lewis George has criticized those actions as federal overreach.
Trump did not specify steps for a takeover. Legal analysts note that Congress would need to pass legislation to revoke or significantly alter D.C.’s home rule charter.
Presidents do not have unilateral authority to fully assume control of the district government.
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Muriel Bowser is not seeking re-election, making the Democratic primary winner the frontrunner for the mayor’s office in the heavily Democratic city.
Lewis George’s campaign emphasizes grassroots support and opposition to federal interference in local governance.
Reactions Split by Party
Republicans backed Trump’s concerns about governance and safety in the capital.
Democrats and D.C. advocates described the remarks as undermining the democratic rights of more than 700,000 residents who lack full voting representation in Congress.
Polls show Lewis George leading by double digits, though a significant share of voters remain undecided. The primary uses ranked-choice voting.
City officials say normal operations will continue during the election period. Lewis George has pledged to resist any attempts to reduce local autonomy.
The White House has not provided further details on any potential federal actions.
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