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There are many things in the U.S. Capitol.
parliament. Art gallery. Historical site.
Apparently, it’s Town Hall now.
Federal governments are fighting on the streets to maintain their battles Washington, DC – Perhaps there are other big cities like Chicago and Los Angeles – Head to the world’s largest city council: the Congress Hall.
Just don’t ask the lawmakers where to get a wedding permit. or the location of the planning department so that they can investigate the easement of the property.
President Donald Trump. (Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
When Congress returns in September, debates about Washington, the District of Columbia’s “domestic rule” and the role of federal police in Washington will attract much of the attention of lawmakers.
The District of Columbia is a federal city – ultimately answering to Congress and the President. With thousands of National Guards patrolling the streets, the role of these units depends on what lawmakers decide to do about it.
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President Donald Trump spoke with law enforcement officers and National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, August 21, 2025. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP photo)
DC until Congress “Only the country’s rule” awarded to the capital in 1973. The city council and mayor were established. But Congress can always intervene and replace local authorities.
Democratic lawmakers are expected to try to pass legislation when Congress reconvenes, and more local control over Washington, D.C. And it is expected that Republicans will do their best to seize power from the city.
The 1973 Sovereignty Act authorized the president to seize control of city police for a month in the presence of an “emergency”. President Trump Proficient in declaring everything “emergency” from borders to trade policies. So Mr. Trump used legal loopholes to send National Guard troops to the streets of Washington.
R-Ariz. Rep. Andy Biggs is pushing for legislation to allow President Trump to conduct police operations in the District of Columbia for six months. Biggs also hopes to change part of its own rule law to enable potential emergencies in the future. President Trump controls the District of Columbia National Guard because the District of Columbia is not a state. Local national rules do not limit how long the president can deploy troops.

Rep. Andy Ogles of R-Tenn spoke at a press conference on border security and funding on January 10, 2024. (Getty Image)
Biggs has been very busy. Arizona Republicans also enacted a bill to crack down on cash bail for defendants in Washington, D.C. Biggs’ measures will prohibit the defendant from appearing outside the court on his release after arrest.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-FLA. A measure was made to allow the president to control the power of the DC under emergency regulations, as long as he needed it. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn).
Ogles has already been with Senator Mike Leer-utah, write a bill that essentially deprives all the national rule of Washington, D.C.
These are Republicans’ plans for the city. But, this is the legislation we are talking about. It is unclear whether this can be skated through narrow Republican-controlled houses. House Republicans resigned in July, with profit margins of 219-212. Although most Republican lawmakers don’t like DC and want to support President Trump, the House can pass anything and not complete any deal.
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On August 14, 2025, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Police Patrol near the Naval Academy in Washington, D.C. (Reuters/Jose Luis Gonzalez)
Some houses Republicans Even if DC faces crime problems, it can refuse legislation while supporting the “federal system” and hope that locals will control local affairs. Furthermore, they are concerned about the precedents they can set for the Democratic president and what he or she might do when he or she is in power.
Anyway, move forward through the United States Senate It’s very difficult. Legislation takes two rounds of 60 Yes to break the fl bone. The Republican Party commands only 53 Senate seats. Furthermore, the Senate has never shown the same interest in intervening in Washington, Washington, and the state affairs of the House.
So that’s the Republican plan. It can be imagined that Democrats’ efforts are to protect the DC from such Congress or presidential intervention, or to pass legislation to revoke President Trump’s actions. But while Democrats often unite to protect the city from external influences, Washington often relies on D-Va. Sens. TimKaine and D-Md. Regional legislators such as Chris van Hollen have worked hard. DC has a no-vote delegate to the House, DD.C.Del. EleanorHolmes Norton. There are no senators.
Additionally, Republicans explore the narrative of unsafe Washington, D.C. So this works outside the ring road. Nor will Congressional Republicans interfere in local affairs in Washington, D.C. burn much political capital — if that’s what President Trump wants. This will please the Republican base.
By contrast, Congressional Democrats must act cautiously. Crime in big cities is a hot issue. Republicans seem to have public support on the issue of “law and order” and assume the big cities “run by Democrats.” If Democrats don’t do their trick the right way, then a full-strength defense of the District of Columbia may not be the information the party needs to go to swing voters they are trying to hold a court in the heartland.
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James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, r-ky. , also made eight separate requests for the Washington, D.C. Police Commander to request a transcribed interview. The first time was September 23. Comer hopes to hear from former Third District Commander Michael Pulliam. He is now on leave after facing allegations of changing the DC crime report.
Anyway, the best thing DC Home Rules might do now is the calendar.
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It’s almost September. Even with the National Capital Command news about the National Guard in Oxygen, Congress may spend most of September trying to avoid a government shutdown. The deadline for doing this is October 1st. Very focused on keeping federal lights lights might give DC a brief probation.
However, Congress’s oversight over DC will not evaporate anytime soon. Congress is essentially a kind of supercity council in the District of Columbia. This means the Capitol is a bit like a Town Hall.
People have long said “You can’t fight the town hall”. And, as Republicans are now in charge, Congressional Democrats may have done little to pry up local power in the U.S. capital.

Senior News Analyst & National Affairs Writer
Prabhat Sharma is a veteran journalist with over 12 years of experience covering national news, current affairs, and breaking stories across India. Known for his analytical approach and in-depth reporting, Prabhat brings clarity to complex topics and delivers content that informs, educates, and empowers readers.
He is passionate about political transparency, policy analysis, and the evolving landscape of Indian journalism.
When he’s not writing, you’ll find him reading non-fiction, watching documentaries, or exploring offbeat destinations