On August 11, President Donald Trump signed an executive order deploying 800 National Guard troops in DC and taking the DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) under federal control. Over a month after the initial order, hundreds of National Guard from Republican leaning states, including West Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Ohio remain deployed in DC.
Following these actions, DC residents were concerned about the legality of the situation. However, DC does not have complete control of the local government or law enforcement compared to other states.
“DC Home Rule” refers to the DC Home Rule Act of 1973, which allowed DC to gain more autonomy. Prior to the 1960s, residents of DC weren’t allowed to vote in the presidential election, much less vote for their own mayor. When this act, supported by President Richard Nixon, passed in 1973, DC residents were finally able to vote for their own mayor and council. Despite these new privileges, Congress still had a large influence on DC, as they do today. Congress can veto any bills proposed in DC, and they can bypass the local government and write a law for DC. The President also has the power to temporarily take over the DC police department, which President Trump utilized in August. Similarly, since DC is not a state, the President has control over the DC National Guard.
After the civil war, many white DC residents and white Congress members opposed DC Home Rule, as DC was a majority-Black district. Having only recently given Black citizens the right to vote, many white citizens didn’t want to be ruled and overpowered by Black voters. Eventually, Black civil rights leaders in Congress pushed for the bill to be passed. Prior to this, Congress ruled DC directly, which many members felt was a waste of their time. Additionally, constant complaints by DC residents further annoyed the Congress members. These factors made it easier for the bill to pass, as even white Congressional representatives were tired of the complaints.
President Trump activated the DC National Guard, after making an accusation that DC’s crime is getting “out of control,” and that “our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged-out maniacs, and homeless people.” 11 days later on?, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized the National Guard to carry weapons. This sparked concerns among DC residents; senior Kai Johnson said “The National Guard is over policing members of Black and Brown communities under the guise of ‘lowering crime rates’. It’s an abuse of power on their end.” Especially amid the rise in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers around DC, residents are not pleased with the current administration’s decisions regarding their city.
Residents have already started protesting the lack of autonomy in the district. The Free DC organization hosted the We Are All DC march on September 6. Many protesters have been standing on street corners in the evening, making noise and holding Free DC signs. While there is no current news on upcoming protests against ICE in DC, there are still many ways for people to get involved in protesting against ICE and President Trump’s infringement on DC Home Rule. •