Defend local governance, reject federal overreach in D.C. policing

President Trump's decision to temporarily seize control of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and deploy National Guard troops to Washington is a concerning overreach of federal authority that undermines local governance. While the president cited a purported crime crisis, statistics show violent crime in the nation's capital has actually decreased significantly from its peak and is now at a 30-year low. This action appears to be political posturing rather than an appropriate response grounded in facts. Invoking an obscure provision of the Home Rule Act to federalize D.C.'s police force sets a dangerous precedent of the federal government overriding local democratic control. Furthermore, threatening to expand this heavy-handed approach to other cities like Chicago undermines principles of local self-governance that are fundamental to our system. This represents an escalating pattern of the president inappropriately using military forces and federal police to intervene in communities against the will of state and local leaders. I urge you to oppose this unjustified power grab and defend the ability of municipalities to handle local matters through established civilian law enforcement guided by elected officials accountable to their constituents. Upholding democratic norms and civil liberties must be prioritized over the president's apparent desire to project an image of strength through martial responses disconnected from reality on the ground. His actions are sowing further division rather than truly addressing root causes of crime through constructive policies. I hope you will take a stand against such an unconstitutional assertion of authority over American cities.