Bicameral Push to Grant D.C. Full Control Over Its National Guard and Police

Strategic Insights -

U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) has joined a bipartisan effort to grant the District of Columbia full control over its National Guard and police department, amidst concerns over President Trump's involvement in local law enforcement. The proposed legislation, introduced by Senator Welch, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and U.S. Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), aims to restore D.C.'s autonomy and revisit the District's Home Rule Act. The urgent need for these measures has grown, as the Trump Administration has extended the D.C. National Guard's deployment through November 30, and Congressional Republicans plan further attacks on the District's self-governance.

Key Takeaways:

  • The District of Columbia Police Home Rule Act aims to repeal the provision in the Home Rule Act that gives the President the authority to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department.
  • The bill would name the Mayor of Washington, D.C. as Commander-in-Chief of the D.C. National Guard, giving the Mayor the same control over the D.C. National Guard that state governors and the governors of three territories with National Guards have over their respective National Guards.
  • The Act would name 14 co-sponsors in the Senate, including Senator Welch, Senator Van Hollen, and Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
  • The District of Columbia National Guard Home Rule Act is cosponsored by 10 Senators, including Senator Welch, Senator Van Hollen, Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
  • The bill is led in the House by U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08) and cosponsored by multiple members of Congress.

Statistics:

  • The Trump Administration has extended the D.C. National Guard's deployment through November 30.
  • Presidential authority to federalize the D.C. police department is based on the Home Rule Act, which provides for the president to direct the mayor to provide services of the Metropolitan Police force as necessary.
  • Over $1 billion of federal funds have been withheld from the District of Columbia by Republicans.

Sources:

  • Welch, Peter. "Welch Joins Bicameral Push to Grant D.C. Full Control Over Its National Guard, Police." Sen. Peter Welch, 8 Sept. 2022.