Sen. Van Hollen, Del. Norton to reintroduce bill to grant DC full control over National Guard.

Senator Chris Van Hollen and DC Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton vow to challenge Trump’s control over MPD and D.C. National Guard.

“Trump’s raw authoritarian power grab in D.C. is part of a growing national crisis," Van Hollen said. "He’s playing dictator in our nation’s capital as a dress rehearsal as he pushes democracy to the brink. While we continue to fight for statehood for D.C., Trump’s assault on D.C.’s autonomy makes it all the more critical that we give the District full control over its own National Guard and police department. This is not just about self-governance for D.C. – it’s also about preventing authoritarian overreach by a lawless president like we are witnessing today."

According to DC Police data, crime in the District appeared to be at a 30-year low in 2024, and there has been a 26% decrease in 2025 so far, compared to the same time period last year. However, the administration is saying otherwise.

During a press conference, Trump cited multiple violent cases that have taken place this year to justify deploying the National Guard, including the 2024 murder of a former administration official, Mike Gill, who was killed in a carjacking near the White House. A stabbing of a Senate aide in 2023 was also mentioned, as was the shooting death of a 21-year-old congressional intern killed by a stray bullet in a a drive-by shooting.

“While the District of Columbia has seen violent crime decline over the past two years, there is still more progress to be made on making it safer for all," Van Hollen acknowledged. "But if Trump actually cared about the people of D.C. and their safety, he wouldn’t have blocked the local government from spending over $1 billion of its own money to fund its own police department, schools, and more. Instead of commandeering the local police and deploying the military to the City’s streets, Donald Trump should give D.C. back its money and get the hell out of the District’s way,” Senator Van Hollen continued.

https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/politics/legislation-to-give-dc-control-over-national-guard-reintroduced-chris-van-hollen-eleanor-holmes-norton/65-a46074d9-93a7-4f46-9cfd-4c981c1e0329?