Normally, one wouldn’t pay any attention to yet another Trump threat, especially when used as a distraction from the Epstein matter. But the threat to federalize Washington, DC, goes well beyond an attempt to gin up some kind of controversy that doesn’t involve raping young teens. Please consider whether January 6th, 2021, would have been more likely to succeed if federal police and troops, loyal to Trump, had been in charge of the city. While doing so, also remember that Trump A) Is far more extreme in his actions this time around, B) Has surrounded himself with proven loyalists for whom nothing seems out of bounds, including moving Ghislaine Maxwell to a minimum security prison right in the faces of the victims, C) Trump has already talked about the possibility of a third term without any hint that he believes he’s under any constitutional mandate to step down and D) Trump is far more willing to take extreme measures when fighting for himself and his interests.
It all makes this tweet, sent out this evening, that much more ominous:
“Crime in Washington, D.C., is totally out of control. Local ‘youths’ and gang members, some only 14, 15, and 16-years-old, are randomly attacking, mugging, maiming, and shooting innocent Citizens, at the same time knowing that they will be almost immediately released. They are not afraid of Law Enforcement because they know nothing ever happens to them, but it’s going to happen now!
“The Law in D.C. must be changed to prosecute these ‘minors’ as adults, and lock them up for a long time, starting at age 14. The most recent victim was beaten mercilessly by local thugs. Washington, D.C., must be safe, clean, and beautiful for all Americans and, importantly, for the World to see.
Never mind that there are already laws to deal with anyone committing violent crime and that there is a reason that we treat minors with a different system (One that is malleable), also forget momentarily that the Ninth Circuit has already issued an injunction against racial profiling by ICE officers, no – momentarily just know that crime is down in Washington DC – substantially down, as noted by Joe My God:
According to FBI statistics, last year violent crime in Washington DC declined 35% to its lowest level in 30 years.
This all must be viewed in light of an attack by a 15-year-old on one of DOGE’s staffers nicknamed “Big Balls.” It has nothing to do with crime generally.
Trump threatens to federalize DC after ex-DOGE employee ‘Big Balls’ violently beatenNEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to federalize Washington, D.C., calling for local minors and gang members over the age of 14 to be prosecuted as adults,…
That Trump is lying is unsurprising. That he is lying about statistics showing that someone is actually doing a really good job is more concerning. Trump went on:
“If D.C. doesn’t get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City, and run this City how it should be run, and put criminals on notice that they’re not going to get away with it anymore.
“Perhaps it should have been done a long time ago, then this incredible young man, and so many others, would not have had to go through the horrors of Violent Crime. If this continues, I am going to exert my powers, and FEDERALIZE this City. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
It is very tough to take Trump seriously about anything, but he is in the midst of a crisis that actually could bring him down because there are so many FBI witnesses to the files and the ever-present worry that one of the steps to creating a lasting dictatorship is securing control of the Capitol. Take the three present motivations, Epstein distraction, capitol control, and racism, and there are three reasons to take this seriously right there.
Even if Trump fails to use federalization to secure his place in 2028 – Constitution be damned, it is also scary to consider what might be done in an effort to “stop” crime given the abuses that ICE has perpetrated and the establishment of “camps” as holding areas without due process.
I constantly note that if the economy gets bad and/or there is a startling revelation in the Epstein matter, Republicans will likely begin to back away from Trump, making a run at a third term even less likely. But again, if one has control of the military and the capital, fascism can hold on as minority rule for a long time.
There are reasons to worry that this is a plan rather than a distraction.
President Donald Trump threatens to federalize Washington DC due to crime. Trump complained of "local youths" committing crime and said "The Law in D.C. must be changed to prosecute these “minors” as adults, and lock them up for a long time, starting at age 14."
— Tangle News (@tanglenews.bsky.social) 2025-08-05T20:24:31.177Z
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My understanding is that Washington, D.C. was created under the Constitution and is solely under the jurisdiction of Congress. Ergo, changing its status would require a constitutional amendment and probably an act of Congress. If trump thinks he can do it with an executive order, he’s delusional. Oh, wait, he is.
Roger, this current Repugnican-led Congress is quite happy to give away its powers to Trumpler, if it means the “honorable members” get to keep their cushy jobs.
Red herring spray, perhaps?