Republicans on the House Oversight Committee are trying to move a series of bills that could reform how the nation’s capital handles crime in an effort to reinforce President Donald Trump’s efforts to crack down on lawbreaking in Washington.
In August, Trump deployed the National Guard to Washington, D.C., and announced a federal takeover of the police department — leading to widespread criticism from Democrats and praise from Republicans. Trump has since declared: “We don’t have a crime problem in Washington anymore.” The order from Trump expired on Tuesday, but Mayor Muriel Bowser has said D.C. police would continue working with the federal government.
Despite those developments, the 13 bills Republicans want to move would lead to major changes in how the capital deals with crime. If passed as written, they would restore cash bail, enforce mandatory sentencing minimums for certain crimes, end early release for certain crimes committed by people under the age of 18, criminalize outdoor encampments and lower the age for juveniles to be tried as adults for certain violent crimes from 16 to 14.