John,

Last week, President Trump invoked a so-called "public safety emergency" to seize temporary federal control over Washington, DC’s Metropolitan Police Department and deployed the National Guard in our nation’s capital. US Attorney Pirro also called on the Council to roll back important sentencing reforms in the District that give youth and people convicted of crimes as young adults second chances.

Let’s be clear: this is not about public safety. Violent crime is down in the District.

This is a politically motivated power grab—an authoritarian attempt to criminalize local communities, override the will of DC residents, and distract from the real, evidence-based strategies that actually make us safer.

Here’s what this federal action will do:

Undermine the autonomy of Washingtonians who have voted again and again for smarter, more humane safety solutions
Exacerbate racial inequality and mass incarceration
Funnel more people—especially Black youth—into the criminal legal system.

Meanwhile, Congress and the Trump Administration have slashed funding for the services that actually prevent crime.

We cannot let this go unanswered. We’ve urged people outside the District to reach out to their Congress members and hundreds have taken action. Join them by reaching out to your DC Councilmember and urging them to protect second chances in the District.