Context:

Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, D.C., disputes President Donald Trump's characterization of the city as crime-ridden, asserting that crime rates have significantly decreased due to local efforts post-COVID. She highlights D.C.'s assets and challenges, including its lack of statehood and limited autonomy, which allows federal intervention in local affairs. Bowser criticizes Trump's recent decision to place the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department under federal control and activate the National Guard, describing these actions as 'unsettling and unprecedented'. Despite acknowledging past crime spikes, Bowser emphasizes ongoing efforts to enhance safety and advocates for D.C. statehood to gain full autonomy. Trump, in contrast, argues that drastic measures are needed to combat what he describes as rampant crime and disorder in the capital city.

Dive Deeper:

• Muriel Bowser, mayor of Washington, D.C., strongly disagrees with President Trump's view that the city is plagued by crime, emphasizing that significant measures have been taken to reduce crime post-COVID, resulting in a 30-year low in violent crime rates.

• Bowser highlights the unique challenges faced by D.C., such as its status as a non-state without full autonomy, which leads to federal oversight in certain local affairs, including the control of the National Guard.

• In response to Trump's invocation of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, which places the Metropolitan Police Department under federal control, Bowser describes this federal intervention as 'unsettling and unprecedented', yet acknowledges the legal framework that allows such actions.

• Bowser uses the press conference to advocate for D.C. statehood, arguing that full statehood would provide the city with necessary representation and autonomy, which would prevent such federal intrusions and ensure local governance aligns with residents' needs.

• President Trump justifies his actions by portraying D.C. as being overtaken by violent elements and insists that federal intervention is necessary to restore order and safety, despite Bowser's claims of improved crime statistics and local law enforcement efforts.