Trump to Build on DC Police Takeover Next Month, Leavitt Says

President Donald Trump will work with Congress next month to build on his decision to federalize the Washington, D.C., police.

Before Trump invoked the Home Rule Act to federalize the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department, he floated using Congress to revoke the 1970s-era law that delegated authority over the nation’s capital to local officials.

“The president is very much still interested in working with Congress to address many of the issues that have plagued Washington, D.C.,” Karoline Leavitt told The Daily Signal on Tuesday.

She named D.C.’s cashless bail policy, “which has been a complete disaster for the city,” and juvenile delinquency as two issues Congress can address.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., introduced a bill to revoke the Home Rule Act. The Bringing Oversight to Washington and Safety to Every Resident Act, or BOWSER Act—named after Democrat Mayor Muriel Bowser—would effectively abolish D.C.’s local government and give authority back to Congress.

Lee has been talking to the president and his team frequently about improving the situation in the District, The Daily Signal has learned. After the August recess, Lee intends to push for congressional action to further support the president’s agenda for the city, as well as revoke the Home Rule Act, a source familiar with the matter said.

Leavitt told The Daily Signal that the president is looking forward to “having these conversations with our friends on Capitol Hill” after the recess, “so we can work with them to make D.C. safe and beautiful again.”

“And again, we encourage Democrats to join us in this effort,” she said.

Leavitt suggested Democrats might have higher approval ratings if they joined Republicans in making Washington, D.C., safe again.

“I saw a new poll today: Democrat approval rating is at an all-time low, 32%,” she said. “If they could just stand by the basic notion of law and order, perhaps they would see that tick up a bit, and we welcome them to do that.”