Trump Threatens DC Takeover Days Before Primary Election

Trump Threatens DC Takeover Days Before Primary Election

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jeannette O’Connor, [email protected]

Statement from Amy Vruno, Executive Director of DC Vote, on President Trump’s Threat to Take Over the District of Columbia

Washington, DC (June 12, 2026) — Following is a statement from Amy Vruno, Executive Director of DC Vote, on President Trump’s remarks Thursday, threatening to have the federal government take over Washington, DC if the outcome of the District’s local elections are not to his liking.

“Our message to Americans around the country is, imagine the President of the United States threatening to overthrow your local government if he dislikes the results of a free and fair local election. We call on fellow Americans to stand with the 700,000 residents of the District, stand against any attempt by Trump to work with Congress to overturn DC elections and Home Rule, and to stand up for statehood for DC. Residents deserve the same freedom as other Americans to elect local government leaders and voting representation in Congress.

“The President of the United States just threatened to strip a city of its self-governing authority because he may not like how its residents vote. This is a threat to democracy itself.

“DC’s nearly 700,000 residents pay federal taxes, serve in the military, and follow federal law, just like every other American. What they do not have is the same right to elect their own local leaders free from federal interference, or a voting voice in Congress to push back when that interference happens. No U.S. Senators. No vote in Congress. Today’s remarks make clear, once again, why that must change. The only permanent solution is DC statehood.”

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Founded in 1998, DC Vote is a national citizen engagement and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening democracy and securing equality for all in the District of Columbia. Learn more at www.DCVote.org.