House Republicans Propose Extended Control Over D.C. Police
House Republicans are advocating for President Donald Trump to have the authority to maintain control over the Washington, D.C. police indefinitely. Representative Andy Ogles from Tennessee is spearheading a resolution aimed at revising the Home Rules Act. This law currently provides Trump with a framework to influence the metropolitan police department, but it has limitations that could be removed if Ogles’ proposal goes through.
Ogles believes that “the only way to save it is to federate the district.” According to him, the emergency powers, which Trump is already utilizing under the Home Rules Act, are constrained by a 30-day limit. He remarked, “My resolution gives the President the time and authority he needs to effectively manage outlaws, restore order, and reclaim control over our capital.”
Trump recently declared a criminal emergency in the Capitol and has mobilized the National Guard along with FBI and DEA agents to patrol D.C. However, under the current statute—specifically Section 740—the President can only federate local police for a maximum of 30 days unless Congress authorizes an extension through a joint resolution. Ogles’ resolution aims to eliminate this time restriction.
Instead of a time limit, the President would only need to inform the House and Senate committees overseeing homeland security and government activities whenever he seeks to amplify control over the police. This authority would persist unless Congress passes a resolution to terminate it.
Ogles is driving these changes as part of a larger initiative to repeal the Home Rules Act itself. Notably, he’s collaborating with Senator Mike Lee of Utah on the Washington and Safety Oversight Act, which addresses various safety and oversight concerns in the district.
Though several Republicans appear to support the expansion of Trump’s control, Senate Democrats are gearing up to oppose it vigorously. One of them noted, “We’re fighting him tooth and nail. He needs to secure Congress’s approval, and simply put, we are not going to let that happen, not to mention that some Republicans also disapprove.”
