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WASHINGTON — President Trump said Wednesday that he wants “long-term extensions” on federal authority over DC police and plans to submit the request to Congress — vowing the capital will become a “beacon” for New York and other cities after his crackdown.
“We’re going to need a crime bill that we’re going to be putting in, and it’s going to pertain initially to DC,” Trump said while announcing this year’s Kennedy Center honorees.
Trump said his legislative request will include funding for the “finest grasses” in city parks and asphalt for crumbling roads, along with expanded anti-crime powers.
The president asserted emergency control Monday over DC’s 3,400-officer Metropolitan Police Department, citing high-profile violent crimes, but his power is limited to a 30-day period under the Home Rule Act of 1973 unless Congress authorizes an extension.
“We’re going to want extensions,” Trump confirmed.
US Attorney Jeanine Pirro on Tuesday demanded policy changes which would undo parts of DC code allowing judges to set aside jail time for defendants under 25, to release offenders after 15 years’ incarceration, and to seal criminal records.
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The city’s elected mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, said in her own press availability that those proposed measures may be submitted to the DC Council.
Bowser and DC Police Chief Pamela Smith have publicly welcomed Trump’s surge of hundreds of federal law enforcement officers and National Guard members to temporarily support local police.
“We’re going to do something, and that’s going to serve as a beacon for New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and other places all over the country,” Trump said.
“Our whole country is going to be so different and so great — going to be clean and safe and beautiful, and people are going to love our flag more than they’ve ever loved it.”
