Q: There's a crazy socialist running for mayor of Washington, D.C. What if she wins?@POTUS: "I wouldn't like it — and maybe we take back Washington, run it on the federal basis. We won't put up with it. We're not going to lose our businesses." pic.twitter.com/XDG1977D2W
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 11, 2026
While speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump was asked about Janeese Lewis George, a Democratic socialist who is the leading candidate in D.C.’s mayoral primary.
Trump replied: “I wouldn’t like it… and maybe we’d take back Washington and run it on the federal basis. We won’t put up with it.”
He was referring to potentially revoking D.C.’s home rule and placing the city under direct federal control if she wins.
Note: Legally, Trump cannot do this unilaterally, it would require Congress to repeal the 1973 Home Rule Act.