Trump Warns Muriel Bowser of Federal Takeover

Former President Donald Trump again sparked a political tempest by threatening Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. Friday’s stormy press conference saw Trump threaten to fire Bowser if she didn’t “get her act straight,” adding that the federal government could administer the capital.

The remarks follow Trump’s federal intervention in Washington earlier this month, when he strengthened federal jurisdiction over city law enforcement. Trump has consistently accused Bowser of misrepresenting crime statistics and downplaying the threat without evidence.

Trump addresses Bowser directly

Trump told reporters that Washington was “unsafe” before federal agents arrived. “Mayor Bowser better get her act straight, or she won’t be there very long,” Trump said. “We’ll take it over with the federal government and run it properly.”

He called the city “a crime-infested rat hole,” but claimed progress under his watch. Trump’s comments emphasized his campaign narrative of law and order, placing him as the only one who can restore city safety.

Early Morning Social Media Blast

Trump celebrated public safety accomplishments on Truth Social at 2 a.m. Friday besides his press conference statements. He declared Washington “SAFE AGAIN,” hailing federal authorities and claiming the city had gone a week without a homicide for the first time in history.

The mayor received a clear ultimatum in Trump’s post. He accused Bowser of spreading “false and highly inaccurate crime figures” and threatened “bad things” if she continued. The worst part of his statement proposed a “complete and total Federal takeover of the City.”

Crime Statistics Debate

Trump’s comments have sparked controversy, especially about Washington crime. The former president claims the city has traditionally had violent crime, but recent data shows crime rates in the capital plummeted to a 30-year low last year. That conclusion contradicts Trump’s statements and shows that his city image is inaccurate, according to fact-checkers.

Despite this, Trump has taken aggressive Washington actions. Since August 7, federal police have arrested over 600 people, including unauthorized immigrants. He took over the city’s police department and sent more National Guard troops, primarily from Republican states, on August 11.

Expanding Federal Role

On Thursday, Trump suggested that the federal government’s role in Washington could be extended and copied elsewhere. “We’re going to make it safe, and we’ll go on to other places, but we’ll stay here for a while,” he stated.

This may be part of a larger plan to increase federal power over local law enforcement, raising doubts about how far Trump may go in other Democratic-led cities if he wins.

Bowser Placement

Mayor Muriel Bowser, who has avoided Trump, has not responded to the threats. Still, her office has stressed local sovereignty over the city’s police force and crime reduction programs.

The confrontation highlights Trump and Bowser’s conflict, with Washington demonstrating Trump’s tough attitude to urban crime and federal authority.