President Donald Trump is urging the House of Representatives to swiftly pass a measure aimed at averting a financial crisis for Washington, D.C. Despite his usual criticisms of the city, he expressed support for a funding fix in a recent post on Truth Social. Trump called for immediate action on the Senate-approved bill that addresses a $1.1 billion gap in the district’s budget.
This endorsement is a significant boost for Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser, who has been actively lobbying Congress to reverse a legislative change that she asserts would severely harm the capital city. Earlier this month, the House passed a funding bill that would require the district to revert to its previous budget for 2024, which translates to major cuts in services and potential layoffs for teachers and police officers.
While the Senate’s funding bill included the cuts, it also proposed a separate measure to restore the D.C. budget, which now sits with the House for approval. Bowser has publicly delayed revealing her budget plans for 2026 until this funding issue is sorted out.
Though indications of Trump’s support had been noted, he had not publicly spoken up until recently. With the House on schedule to adjourn for spring recess on April 11, Republican leadership has been vague about the timing of any votes on the budget fix. House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated that discussions were ongoing, and some Republican leaders have downplayed the district’s claims of financial urgency.
Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized that the April 11 recess creates a pressing timeline for action. He pointed out that immediate resolution is necessary and urged a vote to take place soon.
Amid growing attention to the nation’s capital, Trump has been vocal on various matters regarding crime and safety in the district. He issued an executive order to establish a task force focused on improving safety and cleanliness in D.C., as well as enforcing federal immigration laws.
In his statements, Trump emphasized the need for a safe and beautiful capital, saying, “We need to clean up our once beautiful Capital City, and make it beautiful again.” He pledged to tackle crime aggressively and mentioned collaborating with the mayor to achieve these goals.
Interestingly, Eleanor Holmes Norton, the district’s non-voting delegate in the House, welcomed Trump’s support for the budget restoration while also linking it to the long-standing movement for D.C. statehood. She stated that D.C. should be able to manage its own resources like other states, pointing out that the current situation highlights the need for greater local governance.
