On Monday, Jonathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington University, mentioned that President Donald Trump had stopped the crackdown on crime in Washington, D.C.
Trump has decided to deploy the National Guard to combat crime in the District after officials were hurt while trying to prevent a carjacking. Turley noted that Trump has a unique ability to manage this situation since D.C. is a “federal enclave.”
“Washington, D.C. is distinct. He can take such actions more straightforwardly here because it falls under federal jurisdiction,” Turley explained during an appearance on “American Report,” co-hosted by Sandra Smith. “Essentially, Congress has authority over it.”
“Moreover, he can also utilize the National Guard, and since there’s no governor here, it makes it less complex compared to other cities,” Turley added. “He’s already indicated his positions in California, and he seems prepared to act as long as necessary to address the needs of the residents.”
The rise in crime within D.C. has gained increased attention following the fatal shooting of Eric Tarpinian-Yachim, an intern for Kansas Republican Rep. Ron Estes, on June 30.
“What benefits him are individuals on the ground, like our former colleague who was a U.S. attorney,” Turley mentioned to Smith. “She has a strict, zero-tolerance stance on crime, with sharp enforcement in the judicial system. The challenge remains in the D.C. Courts, particularly with the laws passed by the D.C. Council.”
According to Article I of the Constitution, Congress holds power over the nation’s capital, despite the “Home Rule” established in 1973 that allows local governance. Still, Congress has the ability to reject laws passed by the D.C. government.
