Trump Threatens D.C. Takeover if Janeese Lewis George Becomes Mayor

Trump cannot legally revoke self-governance from the city; only Congress can do so.

Trump Oval Office

Trump said, “We won’t put up with it,” when asked his feelings on Lewis George potentially winning her June 16 primary. Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo

President Donald Trump said Thursday he might “take back” D.C. depending on who wins the mayoral race in the city, stating he would be opposed to Janeese Lewis George winning next week’s Democratic primary.

In the Oval Office, a reporter compared Lewis George, a democratic socialist, to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and asked Trump how he would feel if she wins.

“Well, I wouldn’t like it,” Trump said in response. “And maybe we’d take back Washington and run it on the federal basis. We won’t put up with it.”