During a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Tuesday, President Donald Trump floated the idea of a federal takeover of New York City and Washington, D.C., citing concerns about crime and city leadership.
Addressing New York City’s upcoming mayoral election, Trump criticized Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani—a self-described democratic socialist—and warned against what he called “a communist” being elected. He claimed the White House holds “tremendous power” to intervene in local governance when necessary.
“If a communist gets elected to run New York, it can never be the same,” Trump said. “We have tremendous power at the White House to run places when we have to.”
Trump also turned his attention to Washington, D.C., saying the federal government could run the capital more effectively. “We could run D.C. We’re looking at D.C. We don’t want crime in D.C. We want the city to run well,” he stated, adding that his chief of staff is working with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on the matter.
Despite Trump’s claims, crime statistics from the Metropolitan Police Department show violent crime in D.C. is down 25% compared to last year, with overall crime down 8%.
“We would run it so good, it would be run so proper,” Trump said, suggesting a federal-run D.C. would be more efficient. “We’re thinking about doing it, to be honest with you.”
The District of Columbia currently operates with limited self-rule under the 1973 Home Rule Act. While residents elect their own mayor and city council, Congress retains final oversight of laws and the city’s budget. In 2023, the House blocked two local bills, including one aimed at modernizing the district’s criminal code.
Returning to New York, Trump criticized the city’s ranked-choice voting system and said his relationship with Mayor Eric Adams is “a test.”
“New York City will run properly. We’re going to bring New York back,” he declared.
