Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser had a positive meeting with President-elect Donald Trump, where they discussed shared priorities for the upcoming term. They both expressed a desire for the nation’s capital to be the best city in the world and reflect the strength of the United States. Bowser mentioned potential areas for collaboration between the local and federal government, such as the federal workforce, underutilized buildings, parks, green spaces, and infrastructure. She expressed optimism about finding common ground with Trump during his second term and supporting a successful inauguration on January 20. This collaboration signaled a shift from Trump’s previous rhetoric about the city, where he threatened to “federalize” it due to concerns about crime.
During his presidential campaign, Trump made inflammatory remarks about Washington, DC, calling it a “dirty, crime-ridden death trap” and vowing to take over the city to improve law enforcement and overall appearance. The city had seen a spike in crime, with 273 murders recorded in 2023, the highest number since 1997. This prompted Congress to intervene and block a controversial update to the capital’s criminal code that would have reduced maximum penalties for certain violent crimes, including carjackings. Despite these challenges, the murder rate decreased by 32% in 2024, with overall violent crime falling by 35%.
Bowser and Trump had previously met in 2016 before Trump’s first inauguration, where they discussed various issues facing the city. However, later in his term, Trump criticized Bowser for her handling of protests in DC following the death of George Floyd, calling her an “incompetent” mayor. Despite these tensions, the recent meeting between Bowser and Trump appeared to show a willingness to work together to address shared concerns and improve conditions in Washington, DC. Bowser expressed her commitment to finding common ground with the President and supporting his upcoming term.
The collaborative spirit between Bowser and Trump was a significant departure from Trump’s previous threats to “federalize” Washington, DC due to high crime rates. During a rally in Las Vegas, Trump reiterated his intention to take control of the city to improve law enforcement and enhance its appearance, describing it as a “nightmare” of crime and violence. With the murder rate on the rise and concerns about crime in the capital, Trump’s strong rhetoric about federal intervention in DC raised questions about the relationship between the local and federal government regarding law enforcement and public safety.
Despite the initial tension and Trump’s past criticism of Bowser, the recent meeting between the two leaders signaled a potential shift towards collaboration and cooperation in addressing the challenges faced by Washington, DC. Bowser emphasized the importance of finding common ground with Trump and supporting his upcoming term, indicating a willingness on both sides to work together for the benefit of the city and its residents. The positive tone of the meeting and the shared priorities discussed by Bowser and Trump suggested a possible new chapter in the relationship between the local and federal government, with a focus on improving conditions in the nation’s capital and ensuring its safety and prosperity.
