Van Hollen and Norton to Reintroduce Bills Granting D.C. Full Control Over Its National Guard and Police

Strategic Insights -

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) announced that they will reintroduce legislation to grant the District of Columbia full control over the D.C. National Guard and the Metropolitan Police Department. This move comes as President Donald Trump assumes control of D.C.'s police department and announces plans to deploy the National Guard in the District without consulting local government officials. Crime in D.C. has been at a 30-year low in 2024 and has decreased by 26% this year compared to the same time period last year.

Key Takeaways:

  • Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton will reintroduce legislation to grant D.C. full control over its National Guard and police department when Congress reconvenes in September.
  • The move is a response to President Donald Trump's assumption of control over D.C.'s police department and announcement to deploy the National Guard in the District without consulting local government officials.
  • Crime in D.C. has been at a 30-year low in 2024, with a 26% decrease in crime this year compared to the same time period last year.
  • The District of Columbia Police Home Rule Act would repeal the provision in the Home Rule Act that gives the President the authority to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department.
  • The Home Rule Act provides that, "whenever the President of the United States determines that special conditions of an emergency nature exist which require the use of the Metropolitan Police force for Federal purposes, he may direct the mayor to provide him, and the mayor shall provide, such services of the Metropolitan Police force as the President may deem necessary and appropriate."
  • The District of Columbia National Guard Home Rule Act 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 the governors of the states and the three territories with National Guards have over their respective National Guards.
  • Sen. Van Hollen introduced bipartisan legislation with Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) to unlock the over $1 billion of D.C.'s own funds that Republicans unnecessarily froze through their funding bill in March.
  • The bill passed the Senate unanimously, but House Republicans have still not brought it up for a vote.

Statistics:

  • 30-year low in crime in D.C. in 2024
  • 26% decrease in crime in D.C. this year compared to the same time period last year
  • Over $1 billion of D.C.'s own funds frozen by Republicans through their funding bill in March
  • 100% (unanimous) vote in the Senate for Sen. Van Hollen's bill to unlock D.C.'s funds

Sources:

  • Van Hollen, Norton Will Reintroduce Bills to Grant D.C. Full Control Over Its National Guard, Police as Trump Plays Dictator with Law Enforcement in the District (https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-norton-will-reintroduce-bills-to-grant-dc-full-control-over-its-national-guard-police-as-trump-plays-dictator-with-law-enforcement-in-the-district)