City Journal Audio Capital Offense: Can the Feds Fix D.C.’s Crime Crisis?
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Aug 11, 2025 Join Jesse Arm, Renu Mukherjee, and John Ketcham from the Manhattan Institute as they tackle the surge in crime in Washington D.C. They discuss the federal government's impact on local governance and public safety, debating the balance of authority and home rule. The conversation takes an intriguing turn to college admissions, with a focus on race and transparency in the wake of new policies from the Trump administration. The blend of urban issues and educational reform makes for a thought-provoking listen.
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Federal Authority Over D.C. Is Broad
- The Constitution gives Congress plenary authority over D.C.
- Presidents can assert federal law enforcement tools when local leaders fail.
Use Emergency Powers To Temporarily Commandeer MPD
- Declare a state of emergency and commandeer the MPD for 30 days to restore visible enforcement.
- Act swiftly to win the media battle and reduce disorder.
D.C. Can Serve As A National Test Case
- D.C. illustrates how higher sovereigns can step in when cities fail to provide safety.
- A federal takeover could model enforcement for other blue cities and red-state preemption.