April 23, 2025
Honorable Muriel Bowser
Mayor of the District of Columbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, D.C. 20004
Cc: D.C. Council
RE: President Trump’s “Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful” Executive Order
Dear Mayor Bowser,
As organizations dedicated to justice, civil rights, housing security, and the autonomy of Washington, D.C., we strongly oppose President Trump’s executive order, which threatens the District’s Home Rule, public safety, immigrant communities, housing rights, and civil liberties. This order is a thinly veiled attempt to impose federal control over the District of Columbia, disregarding the will of its residents and the local leaders elected to serve them.
The order’s establishment of a federal task force to coordinate policing, immigration enforcement, and public safety in the District undermines D.C.’s local governance. The inclusion of federal agencies such as the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices raises significant concerns about the potential militarization of D.C. policing and the erosion of the District’s ability to implement community-driven public safety solutions. The District has worked hard to prioritize public safety and reduce over-policing and mass incarceration. Federal intervention, which could include efforts to weaken sanctuary city policies and force collaboration with aggressive immigration enforcement, would only serve to criminalize Black, brown, and immigrant communities in our city.
This executive order also threatens the rights and dignity of people experiencing homelessness. The forced removal of encampments from National Park Service land without sustainable housing solutions will not end homelessness—it will only further marginalize those already struggling. Instead of investing in housing-first strategies that have proven to work, this administration seeks to criminalize poverty and erase the visibility of those in need. We oppose any efforts that would lead to more displacement and demand that local and federal officials prioritize real solutions, including increasing affordable housing, fully funding homeless services, and ensuring that encampment clearings do not violate human rights.
Additionally, the vague language around “beautification” and “public order” raises alarm about the enforcement of anti-protest measures and crackdowns on free speech. D.C. residents have a long history of peaceful protest, advocacy, and resistance. We will not allow this executive order to serve as a pretext for suppressing dissent and restricting First Amendment rights.
We call on the D.C. government to resist this federal overreach and uphold the values that our city holds dear—justice, equity, and self-determination. We urge local leaders to:
- Refuse any federal attempts to erode D.C.’s sanctuary city policies or criminalize immigrant communities.
- Reject any increased collaboration between MPD and federal law enforcement that could lead to over-policing, the erosion of civil rights and further erode community trust.
- Oppose any policies that criminalize homelessness and instead fully invest in housing-first solutions.
- Ensure that D.C.’s budget priorities reflect the needs of its residents and do not cede control to federal influence.
- Stand firm against any efforts to undermine Home Rule and continue the fight for D.C. statehood.
As advocates for justice and self-governance, we will continue to fight for a D.C. that reflects the values of its residents, not the agenda of a federal government that does not represent them.
We will rally, organize, and pressure our local officials to stand strong in defense of D.C.’s autonomy.
Sincerely,
The Sentencing Project Thrive Under 25 Coalition DC Justice Lab
The Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless The Festival Center
Jews United for Justice Equal Justice Under Law
Equality Chamber of Commerce DC Metro Task Force for Democracy
DC Jobs with Justice
Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ EmpowerED
DC Action SMYAL
DC for Democracy The Village Church DC
Washington National Cathedral Sanctuary Ministry InnerCity Collaborative CDC
Free DC Metro DC DSA
Fair Budget Coalition Equal Rights Center