Washington Mayor Rejects Trump’s Suggestion That Federal Government Take Over the City

Mayor Muriel Bowser instead wants the District of Columbia to become the 51st state.

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser speaks during a press conference as emergency response units continue to search the crash site of the American Airlines plane on the Potomac River in Arlington, Va., on Jan. 30, 2025. Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

WASHINGTON—Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser spoke out on Feb. 20 against President Donald Trump’s suggestion that the federal government should assume control of the city she governs.

“Of course, it’s frustrating, and we think it’s also wrong,” Bowser said at a press conference.