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Oct 19, 2025
Trump Takes on Crime in D.C., Floats Federalization

Trump Takes on Crime in D.C.

A Bold Move to Address Crime and Renovation President Trump has made it clear he is determined to address the ongoing issues with crime in Washington, D.C. In a series of Truth Social posts, he announced plans for a press conference on “Crime and ‘Beautification’” at 10 a.m. EST on August 11th. His dual goals are to combat crime and restore the physical beauty to the nation’s capital. He said the press conference, “will not only involve ending the Crime, Murder, and Death in our Nation’s Capital, but will also be about Cleanliness and the General Physical Renovation and Condition of our once beautiful and well-maintained Capital.” (MORE NEWS: Trump: New Census Will Omit Illegal Immigrants) He emphasized his commitment to restoring the city to its former glory, pledging to “take care of our cherished Capital.” Key Points from Series of Posts Regarding D.C. Crime • Urgent action to remove the homeless people, clear tents • Criminals will be jailed • Fast action expected, similar to the border • Trump pledges to federalize D.C. • Calls for changes to laws to prosecute teenagers, ages 14-16, involved in violent crimes Rising Crime in D.C.: A Personal Concern for President Trump Last week, Edward “Big Balls” Coristine, a former DOGE staffer, was injured while defending a woman from an attempted carjacking. A group of about a dozen young men attacked the woman, and Coristine intervened, resulting in a concussion. Police arrested two 15-year-olds involved in the attack and are searching for more perpetrators. This incident has prompted President Trump to direct federal law enforcement to increase their presence in D.C. (MORE NEWS: Trump’s EPA Pushes Green New Deal Into Political Obscurity) Trump also praised D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, calling her a “good person” but suggesting that crime was beyond her control. The Legal Path to Federalizing D.C. To federalize Washington, D.C., Congress would need to repeal The Home Rule Act of 1973, a law that grants local officials governance authority over the city. However, Congress retains the power to overrule local legislation. Article 1, Section 8, Clause 17 of the U.S. Constitution gives Congress authority to “exercise exclusive legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such district… as may… become the Seat of the Government of the United States.” Trump’s legal team is exploring options to make a federal takeover a reality. Senator Mike Lee has called D.C. Home Rule a “disaster,” arguing it contradicts the Constitution’s intent. He has pushed for a legislative change to restore Congressional oversight in D.C., as originally intended. Lee has also suggested that Washington, D.C. could return to its original status by returning residential areas to Maryland, similar to how Arlington and Alexandria were returned to Virginia in 1846. Lee’s proposal is part of a broader push to correct what he sees as the failure of local governance in D.C. Federal Law Enforcement to Tackle Crime in D.C. Under Trump’s direction, federal law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, and the DEA, are tasked with increasing their presence in D.C. The operation will focus on high-profile areas like the National Mall, Union Station, Rock Creek Park, and other monuments and memorials. The operation, initially planned to last seven days, could be extended if necessary. Congressional Efforts to Reinstate Oversight Senator Mike Lee has introduced the Bowser Act (S.440)—the Bringing Oversight to Washington and Safety to Every Resident Act. This bill seeks to repeal the D.C. Home Rule Act and return oversight of D.C. to Congress. Lee’s proposal is in line with efforts to ensure that Washington D.C. is properly governed and safe for its residents. 11/12 Congress needs to reclaim the power it delegated away with DC Home Rule That’s why I’ve introduced the BOWSER Act—the Bringing Oversight to Washington and Safety to Every Resident Act—to repeal DC Home Rule and restore congressional oversight as the Constitution intended — Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) August 6, 2025 The land that became Washington D.C. was donated by Maryland and Virginia in 1790. The district was designed as a neutral ground to serve as the nation’s capital, ensuring no single state could exert undue influence over the federal government. The area was initially 100 square miles but was later reduced when portions were returned to Virginia. Today, Washington D.C. covers 61.1 square miles, but Senator Lee’s proposal could return the residential areas to Maryland, further limiting D.C.’s autonomy. What’s Next for President Trump and D.C.? While the path to federalizing D.C. may require congressional approval, Trump has made it clear that he is ready to take swift and decisive action. He warned, “There will be no ‘Mr. Nice Guy.’” Although a full federal takeover may require changes to the 1973 law, Trump could temporarily take control of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department if an emergency is declared. This marks the beginning of what could be a significant shift in the governance of Washington, D.C. President Trump’s next steps remain uncertain, but his focus on restoring safety and order to the capital is clear. Expose the Spin. Shatter the Narrative. Speak the Truth. At The Modern Memo, we don’t cover politics to play referee — we swing a machete through the spin, the double-speak, and the partisan theater. While the media protects the powerful and buries the backlash, we dig it up and drag it into the light. If you’re tired of rigged narratives, selective outrage, and leaders who serve themselves, not you — then share this. Expose the corruption. Challenge the agenda. Because if we don’t fight for the truth, no one will. And that fight starts with you.

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Newsom Attacks Republicans On Violent Crime — Data Tell Different Story

This article was written by Daily Caller News Foundation Crime and Extremism reporter Hudson Crozier. Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s attacks on Republican states for their murder rates ignore a wealth of data on how violent crime plagues left-leaning parts of the country. Newsom boasted in X posts throughout June that Alabama, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri had higher murder rates than California after Republican lawmakers from those states criticized him over the anti-deportation riots that rocked Los Angeles. However, statistics show California ranks above most states in overall violent crime, one of several statistics that do not fit Newsom’s narrative of conservatives failing to crack down on criminals. (RELATED: ‘Secret Ties Between Soros and Your Local Prosecutor’: LaHood, Pags Reveals How One Foreign Billionaire Is Buying Control Of Your State) The governor’s argument “lacks context and paints an inaccurate picture of crime in California,” Steve Smith, a crime expert for the Pacific Research Institute, told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “Most states have lower overall felony crime rates than California,” Smith said. A study by Paper Prisons Initiative in 2020 put California’s felony rate among the top 15 in the country. Your state’s homicide rate is 117% higher than California’s. https://t.co/3cJB702klb — Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 16, 2025 Republicans’ comments toward Newsom came in response to riots in Los Angeles against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that led to days of alleged vandalism, assaults on law enforcement, cars being set on fire and other chaos. The violent anti-ICE uprising quickly spread to other states in mostly Democrat-led cities after the Los Angeles riots began June 6. Even on violent crime specifically, Newsom’s claims were questioned. The left-leaning Politifact acknowledged that California’s overall violent crime rate ranked sixth in the country in 2023, higher than that of Oklahoma and Alabama, according to FBI data. (RELATED: Los Angeles Burns (Again); Is The Golden State Turning Into An Open Air Prison Camp?) “The Governor’s point is simple: Republican leaders talk tough on serious crime, but the facts tell a different story. You’re more likely to be murdered, sexually assaulted, or shot in a red state than in California,” a Newsom spokesperson told the DCNF. “Since taking office, Governor Newsom has invested over $1.1 billion to improve public safety, fund the police, and crack down on organized crime. That’s why California is seeing results — and the Governor is committed to building on that progress.” Smith noted another inconvenient fact for California stemming from Proposition 47, a measure passed in 2014 that reduced penalties for crimes such as shoplifting and grand theft. “The theft undercount in California was huge due to the fact that crime victims stopped reporting due to Prop 47,” Smith told the DCNF. A bipartisan state commission found in July 2024 that theft reporting decreased by more than 7% from 2010 to 2022 while many violent crimes were reported to be spiking. Voters overturned most of Proposition 47 in November. Newsom also highlighted Republican states’ murder rates in 2022, suggesting Democrats should use the data to push back on accusations that their party is soft on crime. Experts previously told the DCNF that Newsom’s fixation on statewide statistics ignores the fact that liberal cities are often catalysts for violent crime around the country. Nine of the ten cities with the highest murder rates in 2024 all had mayors who were Democrats or left-leaning nonpartisan candidates, according to data from the Rochester Institute of Technology. Two cities were in California, the only state to have more than one city on the top ten list. TMM Analysis Once again, we are begging you not to turn America into California. Newsom is truly trying his hardest to become a big noise ahead of the 2026 midterms, possibly the 2028 presidential election, he has done absolutely nothing to mitigate the macro-social decline taking place through his state. California may have the most beautiful beaches, national parks, and natural landscape, it is home to some of the most dangerous politicians this nation has ever seen. Not only do none of Newsom’s policies on crime align with actual crime reduction, but even his climate change initiatives don’t work. In a recent study by WalletHub, California ranked in the Top Worst cities for air pollution, while boasting the worst-run cities overall. Whether or not the real Newsom is running his own social media, making all of these very silly comments, is unclear. What is clear is that you need to ensure that you avoid voting for anyone who could replicate Newsom’s work in your own state.

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