President Trump threatened a federal takeover of Washington, DC, following an assault on former staffer Edward Coristine. This idea is not new for Trump, as he discussed it during his campaign and earlier this year. DC has limited home rule, allowing it to elect a mayor and council, but Congress must approve its legislation. Both Republicans and Democrats have interfered with DC's laws, particularly concerning local issues like marijuana legalization and traffic laws. Tensions between Trump's federal ambitions and local governance continue to rise.
DC is a federal district with no Congressional representation, but Congress granted it limited home rule in 1973. President Nixon signed the legislation, saying, 'it is particularly appropriate to assure those persons who live in our Capital City rights and privileges which have long been enjoyed by most of their countrymen.'
Republicans have often led opposition to DC's laws, forbidding the District from establishing a recreational marijuana market after an initiative to do so was overwhelmingly passed by voters here.
In 2023, the Senate, then controlled by Democrats, signed legislation that affected DC's local governance. It was a Democratic President, Bill Clinton, who signed a 1995 bill that overturned a DC crime bill.
Concerning Trump's threats, the idea of a federal takeover of DC is not new and has been reintroduced amid various political tensions, reflecting ongoing disputes over local governance.
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