House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-K.Y.) said he plans to hold a hearing with Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D), and Attorney General Brian Schwalb (D) in September following President Trump’s announcement that he will take federal control of the city.
“Alongside President Trump, the House Oversight Committee is also advancing legislative solutions to protect Americans in their capital city and plans to hold a hearing with District Attorney General Brian Schwalb, DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, and Mayor Muriel Bowser this September,” Comer said in a statement on Monday.
“The committee looks forward to continuing its constitutional duty to oversee DC and will work with the Trump administration to ensure a safe, beautiful, and prosperous capital,” he continued.
Trump announced on Monday that in addition to taking federal control of the city’s police department, he would deploy the National Guard in an effort to take on crime in the city. The president also announced that he was declaring a public safety emergency in the District,
“Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged-out maniacs and homeless people, and we’re not going to let it happen anymore. We’re not going to take it,” Trump said from the White House press briefing room.
Under the Home Rule Act, Trump can temporarily take control of the District’s police department if he determines “special conditions of an emergency nature exist.”
It is unclear if the administration coordinated its actions on Monday with D.C. officials. A spokesperson for Mayor Muriel Bowser’s (D) office declined to comment just before Trump began speaking.
DC Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen (D) pushed back on Trump’s announcement, calling it “dangerous.”
“The President taking over local control of MPD & putting the US military onto the streets of DC under the guise of public safety is wrong,” Allen said in a post on X. “It’s an extreme, outrageous, and dangerous move for our city and the safety of all our residents. “
