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Dear Friend,

As most of you know, yesterday morning, President Trump announced that he would be declaring a "crime emergency" under a specific provision of DC's Home Rule Act, which he argued would allow him to "take control" of the Metropolitan Police Department. He has also activated the D.C. National Guard and directed other federal law enforcement agencies to increase their presence across the District. He is justifying these actions based on a lie he's telling not just to DC, but to the country and the world.

I've heard from so many of you feeling understandably anxious and unclear about what happens next, so I'm writing to share my thoughts and more about what we know so far.

President Trump’s announcement is a dangerous abuse of power and authority. It's unwarranted, unnecessary, and it doesn't reflect the reality of what we know to be true about our beloved city. Every DC resident – and every American – should be deeply concerned with what we’re witnessing, especially because his actions don't make our city safer.

Let's be clear about the facts. DC has experienced a 52% drop in violent crime since 2023, and gun crime is down 32% since this time last year.

Let's also be clear about what every local leader believes. One crime is one too many, and everyone in DC government is committed to making communities safer and preventing violence.

But yesterday's announcement will make us less safe by putting untrained and unaccountable members of the military in a position for which they’re not trained or equipped. These soldiers are trained for warfare and natural disasters, not for occupying local streets and community policing. It also creates chaos and disorder for our local police department as clear lines of authority become muddled. And this is the same President who pardoned thousands of people convicted of violently attacking MPD officers on January 6th at the US Capitol – and he will now claim to be the boss of those very same officers.

In the District, we partner with federal agencies and authorities all the time. But if the President and Congress want to make DC safer and cleaner, here are actions for which the District has repeatedly requested their help and which they could take today:

1. Immediately restoring more than $1 billion in local dollars withheld by Congress from the District's current Fiscal Year 2025 budget – a decision that has had dramatic impacts on our ability to maintain our workforce and city services;
2. Increase violent and gun crime prosecution rates by the Presidentially-appointed United States Attorney for the District of Columbia;
3. Fill all judicial vacancies on the federal Superior Court and the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia with qualified judges nominated by DC's Judicial Nomination Commission;
4. Increase resources for the federal Pretrial Services Agency and Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency, the federal government’s supervision agencies for individuals in the justice system pre-trial and post-release;
5. Require the Federal Bureau of Prisons to provide meaningful reentry services to DC Code offenders incarcerated for felony offenses in its custody, house them closer to the District, and notify the District before they're released; 
6. Treat gun trafficking across the District’s borders seriously by stepping up investigations and enforcement and taking on illegal gun source states; and
7. Especially important in Ward 6, better maintain our National Park Service property and parks. 

Over the last few days, I've met with the Mayor and Attorney General several times to strategize about our next steps. At this point, few details have come from the federal government about what this will actually look like, but I can share that as of now, MPD leadership will continue to report to the Mayor and follow all local laws and operating procedures. 

I will try to keep you updated as the situation unfolds. Until then, please know my inbox and office are open, and I'd ask that you use this unprecedented moment to share the critical importance of DC statehood and autonomy with your friends and family.

Charles Allen