Congress Preparing To Debate Crime Bill Amid Trumps DC Crackdown

Lawmakers are gearing up for what’s expected to be one of the most contentious debates of the season — President Donald Trump’s forthcoming crime bill, a central piece of his crackdown on crime in Washington, D.C.

The White House is finalizing a legislative package that Trump says will not only target violent crime in the nation’s capital but also serve as a “blueprint” for other major U.S. cities struggling with public safety. The president has made law and order a defining feature of his second term, and this initiative appears aimed at tightening federal control over how D.C. is governed and policed.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Trump said the proposal would be introduced “very soon” and framed it as part of his broader effort to “restore safety and pride” to the district. “We think the Democrats won’t do anything to stop crime,” Trump told Fox News. “But the Republicans will. We’re preparing a crime bill that will start with Washington, D.C., and it’s going to set the tone for the rest of the country.”

He added that the bill would include what he called “a relatively small amount of money” to repair streets, improve infrastructure, and, in his words, “make the capital beautiful again.”

The statement comes as the president continues to assert unprecedented control over the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) — a power that, under federal law, lasts only 30 days unless extended by Congress. Trump’s temporary authority over the MPD is already a political flashpoint, setting up a looming showdown between the White House and Democratic lawmakers who see it as federal overreach.

Attorney General Pam Bondi, a close Trump ally, echoed the president’s tone in a statement to Fox News Digital. “At the direction of President Trump, this Department of Justice will continue to work hand in hand with MPD, federal law enforcement, and Congress to combat violent crime in Washington, D.C., and ensure the safety of every American who lives in or visits our nation’s capital,” she said.

The administration’s allies in Congress are already preparing to carry the proposal through. Senator Lindsey Graham (R–S.C.) confirmed he has spoken with Trump, Bondi, and senior White House officials about “how Congress can help make Washington, D.C., safe again.”

Graham said the White House plans to send a legislative package to him and Senator Katie Britt (R–Ala.), who chairs the Homeland Security appropriations subcommittee. “Together, we’ll work to shepherd the D.C. Security Fund through Congress,” Graham posted on X. “This is about giving President Trump the tools he needs to make the capital safe, clean, and functional — a model for the rest of the country. Every American should support this effort.”

Sources familiar with the proposal suggest it could include increased federal funding for local policing, stricter sentencing guidelines for violent offenders, and expanded authority for the Department of Justice to intervene in local crime investigations. It’s not yet clear whether the measure will be folded into a broader spending bill or introduced as a standalone supplemental funding package.

What is clear is that Trump wants Congress to act fast. “We can’t wait for bureaucrats to debate this for months while people get hurt,” he said during a brief exchange with reporters. “We’re doing what needs to be done.”

Congress, however, isn’t expected to reconvene until after Labor Day, and lawmakers already face a packed agenda when they return. They’ll need to pass a government funding bill before the September 30 deadline and deal with other pressing issues, including Trump’s anticipated request to extend his control over the D.C. police force. That request will require a joint resolution from Congress, which could prove difficult to secure in a divided Senate.

Republicans are largely in favor of extending Trump’s authority, arguing that federal oversight is necessary to curb rising crime in the capital. Democrats, however, view it as a dangerous precedent — one that could weaken D.C.’s limited autonomy and centralize too much power in the White House.

“It’s not the president’s job to run the local police department,” one Democratic aide told reporters. “This is about control, not safety.”

Despite the criticism, Trump’s team is leaning into the optics of action and accountability. The administration has frequently cited rising carjackings, drug crimes, and assaults in D.C. as evidence of a city “out of control” under Democratic leadership. While crime statistics show that some categories of violent crime have fallen slightly this year, overall perceptions of safety in the capital remain low — a reality the White House is using to its advantage.

Bondi has emphasized that the initiative isn’t just about enforcement but about visibility and deterrence. “People need to see that Washington, D.C., is safe again,” she said. “That’s not just about arrests — it’s about presence. It’s about pride.”

Republicans in Congress are rallying around that message. Many see Trump’s D.C. crime push as a political opportunity to frame their party as the defender of safety and order, particularly in urban areas traditionally dominated by Democrats.

Senator Britt, who will help oversee the funding component, said in a statement, “The American people deserve a capital city that reflects the strength and discipline of the country it represents. President Trump’s plan is about restoring that standard.”

Still, even some GOP strategists admit the proposal faces hurdles. Passing new funding for law enforcement during a tight fiscal year won’t be easy, and Democratic senators are unlikely to grant Trump extended policing authority without major concessions.

Behind the scenes, the administration is reportedly preparing contingency plans — including executive actions that could redirect existing federal funds to local agencies. Those measures would likely face legal challenges, but Trump’s team seems confident in its ability to act unilaterally if Congress stalls.

In D.C. itself, reactions are mixed. Some residents welcome federal involvement, frustrated by what they see as years of ineffective local governance. Others worry that Trump’s approach could lead to aggressive policing and further politicization of the city’s justice system.

“He’s not wrong about the crime problem,” said one downtown business owner. “But if this turns into a political show, we’ll be the ones paying the price.”

Meanwhile, progressive city leaders are bracing for confrontation. Several members of the D.C. Council have already vowed to fight any attempt to override local authority. One councilmember said bluntly, “We don’t need a federal occupation of our city disguised as public safety.”

For now, the White House appears undeterred. Trump and his allies are positioning the forthcoming crime bill as a defining test of political will — a chance to prove that his administration can deliver where others have failed.

“Washington, D.C., should be the safest, cleanest, and most respected capital in the world,” Trump said. “We’re going to make that happen — with or without the Democrats’ help.”

The legislative battle over the D.C. crime bill is expected to dominate headlines in the coming months, setting the stage for another high-stakes showdown between Trump and his critics. Whether it becomes a turning point for urban policy or another partisan flashpoint remains to be seen — but for now, the message from the White House is clear: law and order will take center stage in the nation’s capital once again.