Friend,
President Trump is lying to you – again.
He’s claiming that Washington, DC is gripped by “rampant violent crime” – even though the federal government’s own data shows violent crime in DC is at its lowest point in more than 30 years.[1,2]
But this isn’t about making communities safer. It’s about control.
Trump wants Congress to authorize the continued seizure of DC’s Metropolitan Police Department – a blatant power grab that would strip local residents of their ability to govern their own city. And if Congress refuses? He’s openly threatening to sidestep them entirely by declaring a national emergency.[3]
He’s already made it clear that Washington, DC might just be the beginning. In recent remarks, he floated the idea of taking similar action in cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and others – places that overwhelmingly rejected him at the ballot box.
And now, far-right allies are laying the groundwork to make such takeovers even easier. Recent reporting from People For’s Right Wing Watch revealed that the president of the Heritage Foundation – a group deeply connected to Trump’s Project 2025 policy network – has urged state lawmakers to “de-charter” Democrat-led capital cities, stripping them of self-governance so they can be taken over by state governments. That could open the door for Trump to follow suit – or even send in the military – to seize control of city governments and police forces he doesn’t like.[4]
If Trump can get away with overriding local control in the nation’s capital based on fabricated statistics, there’s no telling where – or how far – he’ll try it next.
This is an authoritarian move, plain and simple. It’s an attempt to impose direct presidential control over local police forces – something unheard of in modern American history – using fear, misinformation, and intimidation to get his way.
Congress has the power to stop him – but only if they hear from the people they represent, loudly and without hesitation.
Sign the petition now and tell Congress to reject Trump’s takeover >>
DC residents have fought for decades for self-governance. Allowing Trump to override that with fear mongering and manufactured claims would set a dangerous precedent, weaken local democracy, and hand him yet more unchecked power.
The truth matters. Democracy matters. And right now, both are on the line.
— People For the American Way
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Sources:
[1] "Violent Crime in D.C. Hits 30 Year Low" United States Attorney's Office, District of Columbia, 1/3/25
[2] "Trump’s Washington, DC, crime crackdown exposes gap between perception and reality" CNBC, 8/13/25
[3] "Trump floats circumventing Congress to maintain control of DC police" POLITICO, 8/13/25
[4] "Heritage Prez Tells Right-Wing State Legislators to De-charter, Take Over Blue Capital Cities" Right Wing Watch, 7/28/25
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