In an executive order on Thursday, Trump created a task force to “make the nation's capital safe again,” following through on his promise to intervene in the city’s management. The group is tasked with cracking down on crime, monitoring immigration, and “beautifying” the city. In an interview with our City Cast DC podcast, NBC4’s Mark Segraves called the order a “warning shot” at D.C.
What’s Actually In the Executive Order
The order establishes a task force that will be made up of members from agencies across the federal government. Notably, no local officials will be included. The group’s function — with local officials’ cooperation — is to make D.C. “safe, beautiful, and prosperous.” The task force will oversee:
- A surge of law enforcement in public spaces.
- Increased ICE activity and deportation of illegal immigrants.
- Making it easier and cheaper to obtain a concealed carry license.
- Ending fare evasion and other crimes on Metro.
- The “beautification” of federal monuments and memorials as well as local parks and roadways. This includes removing homeless encampments.
Reading Between the Lines
The executive order is another crack in the wall of home rule, but it doesn’t completely strip control from the city, Segraves told us.
D.C. leaders are already proponents of several parts of the order, such as recruiting more police, clearing encampments, and fighting fare evasion. Other things, like increased concealed carry, may be hard for the city to stomach.
That said, if the task force determines that D.C. is inadequately complying with the order, Trump has suggested he may revoke D.C.’s home rule.
I look at this [executive order] as a blueprint, a kind of a warning shot. Like, here's what [Trump] wants to see out of the city.
Mark Segraves, NBC4
How Is DC Reacting?
Mayor Bowser and Chairman Phil Mendelson have reportedly urged D.C. councilmembers to temper their responses, Segraves told City Cast. This aligns with the mayor's heads-down strategy over the past two months, of picking her battles to ultimately protect home rule.
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton was the only local official to speak out on Thursday night. She said the order is “insulting” to D.C. residents, especially because the task force won’t have a single D.C. official on it.
