Kenyan McDuffie concedes to Janeese Lewis George in DC mayoral primary
Politics — 2026-06-18 08:43:00 — www.politico.com
Trump Threatens Federal Takeover of D.C. as Janeese Lewis George Poised to Become Mayor
President Donald Trump responded sharply to the prospect of Janeese Lewis George becoming Washington, D.C.’s next mayor, telling reporters in the Oval Office, “I wouldn’t like it.” He went further, suggesting a potential federal intervention: “Maybe we’ll take back Washington, run it on a federal basis,” Trump said. “We won’t put up with it. We’re not gonna lose our businesses.”
A Collision Course with the White House
Lewis George’s apparent victory in the Democratic primary sets up a direct confrontation with Trump for the remainder of his term. Her campaign has focused on resisting Trump’s efforts to increase federal control over the District, including pledging to rescind orders that allow city police to coordinate with federal immigration agents and vowing to oppose any attempt by Trump to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department.
Trump’s Record in the District
Trump’s administration has already taken extraordinary steps in Washington, including temporarily taking over the Metropolitan Police Department and indefinitely deploying the National Guard to patrol city streets—moves that proved deeply unpopular among local residents. His administration’s funding cuts and reduction of the federal workforce have also contributed to significant job losses in the region, with D.C. experiencing the highest number of lost jobs among all U.S. metro areas in 2025.
Business and Autonomy at Stake
Trump’s comments reflect a broader posture of federal intervention and a willingness to override local governance if the city’s policies do not align with his administration’s priorities. He has repeatedly framed his approach as necessary to prevent business losses and to address crime, despite widespread local opposition to his methods.
Conclusion
As Janeese Lewis George prepares to take office, her administration is poised to challenge Trump’s efforts to tighten federal control over Washington, D.C. Trump’s explicit threat to “take back Washington” underscores the ongoing struggle between the District’s push for autonomy and the president’s aggressive interventionist stance. The coming months are likely to see continued clashes over the future of the nation’s capital and the limits of federal power.
Source: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/06/18/lewis-george-dc-mayor-primary-00966879