White House downplays Muriel Bowser’s criticism of DC crime bill handling
Ryan King
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White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre downplayed criticisms from Washington’s Mayor Muriel Bowser over federal involvement in the district’s crime bill.
Bowser, who, like Biden, opposed the crime bill, cautioned that federal interference was a “slippery slope” that trampled upon Washington’s home rule. Jean-Pierre was coy about whether the Biden administration informed Bowser in advance of announcing last week that he wouldn’t veto congressional legislation to overturn the city’s crime bill.
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“Our team, the intergovernmental affairs team, is in constant communication with her team and was last week,” Jean-Pierre said during a press briefing. “They are in constant communication.”
When pressed about Bowser’s concerns, Jean-Pierre said, “This was brought to him. This is not something that we put forward.”
“[Biden] wanted to make sure that he delivered for the 700,000 residents of D.C. in a way that was protecting the residents here,” she said. “He wants to be very clear and communicate with the people of D.C. and with all of you about how he was going to move forward.”
Earlier on Monday, the Council of the District of Columbia’s chairman announced plans to withdraw the crime law amid mounting criticisms. Jean-Pierre declined to comment on whether Biden plans to back the congressional legislation to overturn the crime bill if the district’s policy is withdrawn.
House Republicans have advanced a bill to override the crime bill, which claws back mandatory minimums and other penalties. Bowser opposed the district measure but was overridden by the city council. The legislation is set to be considered by the Senate this week, with several Democrats, such as Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), having voiced support.
Under the Home Rule Act, Washington is allowed to operate independently, with its laws subject to congressional approval. Congress thus has the power to override the district’s legislation, though it hasn’t done so in 32 years.
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Bowser has long backed statehood for Washington, D.C. Biden has been under pressure from Republicans on crime as his decision about 2024 draws near.
“I will never say that we want the Congress meddling in the affairs of the District of Columbia. That’s a slippery slope, again, that we endure not just with bills like this. We have a lot of issues to overcome with limited home rule,” Bowser previously told Meet the Press NOW.
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