1. United States
2. Maine
3. Letter

President Trump's executive order to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC is an egregious overreach of power that blatantly disregards the principles of local governance enshrined in the Home Rule Act. By unilaterally seizing control of DC's police force without justification of any true emergency conditions, the president has undermined the autonomy that DC residents rightfully deserve as American citizens. This move has already proven detrimental to public safety by blocking access to vital funding for law enforcement and emergency services while also creating a backlog in the criminal justice system. Moreover, Trump's pardon of hundreds involved in the January 6th insurrection, including those who assaulted police officers, is an affront to the rule of law he has sworn to uphold. The joint resolution introduced by Representatives Raskin, Norton and Garcia is a necessary step to rein in this authoritarian power grab and restore local control over the District's affairs. I urge you to co-sponsor and pass this legislation to terminate Trump's unlawful overreach and reaffirm DC's right to self-governance free from undue federal interference. Upholding democratic norms and the will of the people must be prioritized over the president's self-serving political machinations.