Congressional Democrats vow to introduce legislation to give DC full control over National Guard

Washington, D.C.'s Democratic delegate-at-large Eleanor Holmes Norton and Maryland's Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen on Monday promised to introduce legislation that would give the district full power over the D.C. National Guard.

President Donald Trump on Monday morning said he would crack down on crime in the capital by invoking Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act. Under the act, Trump can temporarily seize control of the city's police department if he determines the situation meets certain emergency criteria.

Trump also activated 800 D.C. National Guard troops that are expected to arrive in the city later this week, and will supply logistical, administrative and physical support to local law enforcement.

The president claimed his actions come as the crime rate in the city remains one of the highest in the nation, despite reportedly decreasing in 2024. Trump also highlighted several recent attacks in the capital, such as a shooting outside a Jewish center earlier this year, and a carjacking by juveniles that turned violent over the weekend.

“Trump’s raw authoritarian power grab in D.C. is part of a growing national crisis," Van Hollen said in a statement. "He’s playing dictator in our nation’s capital as a dress rehearsal as he pushes democracy to the brink. 

"While we continue to fight for statehood for D.C., Trump’s assault on D.C.’s autonomy makes it all the more critical that we give the District full control over its own National Guard and police department," he continued. "This is not just about self-governance for D.C. it’s also about preventing authoritarian overreach by a lawless president like we are witnessing today."

The senator acknowledged that crime in the city is still a serious issue, but claimed Trump should not have blocked the D.C. city council from receiving $1 billion from Congress that he argued would have included funding for D.C. police.

"Instead of commandeering the local police and deploying the military to the City’s streets, Donald Trump should give D.C. back its money and get the hell out of the District’s way,” Van Hollen said. 

The new legislation, which faces an uphill battle in a Republican-led Congress, would repeal the provision in the Home Rule Act that gives the president power to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department, and would designate the mayor as the person in charge of the National Guard. 

“Until we get the full protections that statehood would provide, our bills repealing the president's authority to federalize the local D.C. police department and to give D.C.'s mayor control over the D.C. National Guard, like governors of states have over their National Guards, places D.C. closer to having control over some of its most vital affairs," Norton said. 

Norton represents the district's residents in the House of Representatives but has no legal voting power. However, she can introduce legislation and rally votes for her bills. 

The bills will be introduced in their respective chambers next month, after lawmakers return from their August recess. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.