1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

The federal government's plan to deploy national guard troops and take control of local law enforcement in Washington D.C. is deeply concerning. While crime reduction is a laudable goal, the data shows violent crime in D.C. has already reached a 30-year low this year, continuing a downward trend. Ignoring this progress and escalating force raises serious civil liberties issues. Forcibly federalizing D.C.'s police under an alleged "emergency" is an undemocratic overreach of power. It removes accountability to local residents and elected officials, opening the door to abuses by unaccountable federal forces not subject to the same oversight. This echoes troubling nationwide efforts to undermine Black-led cities and communities of color. As the nation's capital, D.C.'s status should model democratic ideals, not trample them. I urge you to vigorously oppose this Federal takeover and instead champion D.C. statehood to enshrine real local control and accountability. Statehood is the only path to empower D.C. residents and prevent further power grabs that threaten civil rights and self-governance. Thank you for your consideration of this crucial matter.