President Donald Trump is raising the stakes in Washington, D.C.’s upcoming mayoral election, warning that the federal government could intervene in the city’s governance if democratic socialist candidate Janeese Lewis George wins next week’s Democratic primary.
The comments came as Lewis George, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and a D.C. councilmember, continues to lead polling ahead of the June 16 primary election.
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When asked about the possibility of a Lewis George victory, Trump made clear he is deeply concerned about the direction of the nation’s capital.
“Well, I wouldn’t like it, and maybe we’ll take back Washington and run it on the federal basis,” Trump said. “We won’t put up with it. We’re not going to lose our business.”
Lewis George responded by calling Trump’s comments an attack on democracy.
“We’re not going to get ICE off our streets by fearing this president,” she said. “And we’re not going to protect our rights or home rule by obeying in advance.”
“Threatening home rule because you do not like how residents vote is an attack on democracy itself. The people of D.C. elect the mayor of D.C. And they want someone who will stand up to Donald Trump.”
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The dispute comes as growing national attention is focused on the District’s mayoral race, which many observers view as another test of the Democratic Party’s increasingly far-left wing.
Lewis George has frequently been compared to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, another democratic socialist whose political rise has become a source of debate within Democratic circles.
She has embraced many of the same progressive policies, including expanded government programs, major housing reforms, and opposition to increased law enforcement measures.
During a recent mayoral debate, Lewis George opposed youth curfews despite a series of highly publicized “teen takeover” incidents that have disrupted neighborhoods and businesses throughout Washington.
Rather than expanding enforcement, she argued the city should focus on social programs.
“Using the curfew as a tool for our young people is dangerous,” Lewis George said.
She instead called for expanded youth programming, apprenticeships, employment opportunities, and additional community resources.
Lewis George also criticized the presence of federal law enforcement personnel in the city.
“Right now, using the curfew as a tool for our young people is dangerous because we have federal troops who are in our city, masked ICE agents who are in our city,” she said.
Charles Fain Lehman of the Manhattan Institute said Lewis George has the issue “exactly backwards.”
“Public acting out is not the result of insufficient services or alternative opportunities,” Lehman said. “It’s what happens when the system fails to consistently and clearly enforce rules about public conduct.”
The mayoral candidate has also faced scrutiny over housing issues after reports surfaced that she purchased a $1.19 million single-family home earlier this year despite previously criticizing single-family zoning policies.
Property records show Lewis George and her husband purchased a four-bedroom home in Washington’s Manor Park neighborhood in April.
Her campaign platform calls for sweeping zoning reforms and the construction of tens of thousands of additional housing units throughout the city.
Critics have accused her of hypocrisy, noting that the home she purchased is located in precisely the type of low-density neighborhood she has argued should be reformed.
The race is unfolding against the backdrop of Trump’s ongoing criticism of conditions in Washington, D.C.
The president has repeatedly argued that crime, homelessness, and disorder have damaged the nation’s capital and has suggested federal intervention may be necessary if local leaders fail to address those problems.
Under the District’s Home Rule Act, Congress maintains ultimate authority over Washington, although the city governs most of its day-to-day affairs through an elected mayor and city council.
While Trump did not provide specific details about what actions he might pursue, his comments appeared to reference federal powers that could potentially be used during emergencies or through congressional action.
For many conservatives, the possibility of a democratic socialist leading the nation’s capital raises broader concerns about crime, policing, economic policy, and government spending.
With just days remaining before voters head to the polls, the race has quickly become one of the most closely watched local elections in the country.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
