To federalize Washington, D.C., means to bring the city under direct control of the federal government, usually by the President or Congress, overriding the local government authority. Washington, D.C. operates under the Home Rule Act of 1973, which gives its residents the right to elect their own mayor and city council to manage local affairs. However, Congress retains the ultimate authority to approve, block, or override local laws and policies. "Federalizing" D.C. typically refers to the President or federal government taking control of certain city functions, most notably the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Under the Home Rule Act, the President can take temporary control of the MPD for up to 30 days during a declared emergency. Beyond that, a full federal takeover or restructuring of the city government would require Congressional legislation to amend or overturn the Home Rule Act. The term has recently been used in the context of potential federal intervention in response to crime or emergency situations, where the President asserts control over the D.C. police and possibly deploys National Guard or federal law enforcement. However, such federalization does not mean the President can singlehandedly dissolve or replace D.C.'s elected local government; that would need congressional approval. In summary, federalizing D.C. means shifting local governmental control, especially policing, from the city’s elected officials to federal authority, a move that currently is limited by law and requires Congressional action for broader or longer-term control.
