Rep. Owolewa Slams Trump’s Move to Seize D.C. Police Control

Representative Dr. Oye Owolewa (D-D.C.) has strongly condemned President Donald Trump’s decision to invoke the Home Rule Act to take over the Metropolitan Police Department, deploy hundreds of National Guard troops, and forcibly remove unhoused residents from the city.

Describing the move as “an unprecedented overreach that violates the very principle of local sovereignty,” Rep. Owolewa said the President’s actions undermine D.C.’s elected leadership.

“Under Mayor Bowser and Chief Smith, we have seen violent crime drop by 26%. We have less crime than Memphis, New Orleans, and St. Louis, yet the President is militarizing our streets and seizing control of our police department,” he stated. “By not being a state, Washingtonians face an unprecedented level of federal overreach and oppression, with no recourse against those who abuse this power.”

Rep. Owolewa argued that the move has little to do with public safety. “Let’s be clear: this is not about public safety, it’s about consolidating power, silencing dissent, and criminalizing poverty. By abusing the Home Rule Act, President Trump is hijacking the authority of D.C.’s elected leaders, stripping away the rights of our residents, and putting communities in harm’s way. This is federal overreach at its worst, and it endangers every person who lives, works, and visits our nation’s capital.”

He concluded with a call for resilience and statehood. “We will not be bullied. We will not stand by while our neighbors are threatened, our streets are militarized, and our democracy is undermined. Only through D.C. statehood can we ensure that our public safety policies are guided by the will of our people, not the political ambitions of a president who doesn’t live here, doesn’t represent us, and doesn’t answer to our voters.”

  • Related Posts

    Bronx Community Leader Sheikh Musa Drammeh Endorses Curtis Sliwa for Mayor

    Bronx interfaith leader and community organizer Sheikh Musa Drammeh has announced his official endorsement of Curtis Sliwa for Mayor of New York City, citing family values, public safety, and educational…

    Continue reading
    NYC to Issue $460 Million in Social Bonds to Expand Affordable Housing Development

    New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced that the city will issue $460 million in taxable, fixed-rate General Obligation Social Bonds this month to fund the creation of nearly 2,200…

    Continue reading

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    Bronx Community Leader Sheikh Musa Drammeh Endorses Curtis Sliwa for Mayor

    Bronx Community Leader Sheikh Musa Drammeh Endorses Curtis Sliwa for Mayor

    Bronx Borough President Gibson Marks Two Years Since Israel Terror Attack, Calls for Peace and Hostage Release

    Bronx Borough President Gibson Marks Two Years Since Israel Terror Attack, Calls for Peace and Hostage Release

    NYC to Issue $460 Million in Social Bonds to Expand Affordable Housing Development

    NYC to Issue $460 Million in Social Bonds to Expand Affordable Housing Development

    Community Op-Ed: Seasons change, but our priorities remain the same: Building record amounts of housing to make New York City more affordable

    Community Op-Ed: Seasons change, but our priorities remain the same: Building record amounts of housing to make New York City more affordable

    African Immigrants Commission Elevates Culture, Expands Impact in Annual Heritage Event

    African Immigrants Commission Elevates Culture, Expands Impact in Annual Heritage Event

    Bronx Residents Blast Councilmembers Over Bainbridge and Just Home Votes, Accuse Betrayal as Councilwoman Defends Position

    Bronx Residents Blast Councilmembers Over Bainbridge and Just Home Votes, Accuse Betrayal as Councilwoman Defends Position