top of page

Repeal D.C. Home Rule: Restoring Accountability and National Oversight

Writer's picture: WireNewsWireNews

by Ram ben Ze'ev


Repeal D.C. Home Rule: Restoring Accountability and National Oversight
Repeal D.C. Home Rule: Restoring Accountability and National Oversight

Despite President Trump having granted full pardons to as many as 1,500 of the so-called J6 defendants—patriots who were wrongfully branded as criminals but are, in reality, political hostages of the Democrat Party—only a small number of these victims have been released from jail or prison. This blatant disregard for the President’s constitutional authority to pardon is a striking example of how D.C.’s local governance under Home Rule has devolved into a partisan stronghold, undermining justice and federal oversight. The refusal to act swiftly on these pardons reveals how the Home Rule system prioritises local political agendas over national unity and fairness, further illustrating why Home Rule should be repealed.


The Financial Mismanagement Under Home Rule

The District’s financial history under Home Rule has been marred by glaring examples of mismanagement. In 1995, Congress was forced to establish the D.C. Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority, commonly known as the Control Board, to rescue the city from near bankruptcy. At the time, the District faced a $722 million budget deficit, driven by poor fiscal policies and inadequate oversight by local leaders.


While proponents of Home Rule argue that the District has since recovered, cracks remain evident. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, D.C. residents pay some of the highest taxes in the nation, with a combined state and local tax burden of 13.2% of income—surpassed only by New York. Despite this, the city continually struggles with funding its public services effectively. In 2023, Washington, D.C., ranked as having the third-highest homelessness rate in the nation, with 65.6 homeless individuals per 10,000 residents, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.


Failing Public Safety and Education

Home Rule governance has also failed to address critical public safety concerns. D.C. experienced a 38% increase in homicides in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. This surge reflects a broader failure to implement effective policing policies and address crime comprehensively. Meanwhile, the city’s education system remains subpar despite some of the highest per-pupil spending in the country. In 2022, D.C. public schools spent $31,592 per student, yet only 30% of students in grades 3-8 were proficient in math, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).


The Federal Perspective: National Interests at Stake

D.C. Home Rule complicates the relationship between local and federal interests. The District hosts critical federal institutions, and its governance decisions often have national ramifications. For instance, the recent D.C. Council proposal to drastically reduce penalties for violent crimes caused Congress to intervene, highlighting the dangers of allowing a local government to make decisions that could threaten national security and public safety.


Additionally, the local government’s reliance on federal funding underscores the need for greater oversight. According to the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, 25% of D.C.’s 2022 budget was federally funded. It is only fair that Congress, representing all U.S. taxpayers, should have a stronger say in how these funds are allocated and managed.


The Path Forward: Restoring Accountability

Repealing D.C. Home Rule is not about disenfranchising residents but ensuring that the District fulfills its primary purpose as the nation’s capital. Under direct congressional oversight, we can prioritise fiscal responsibility, enhance public safety, and ensure that the District operates efficiently as a symbol of national governance.


Congress has a constitutional mandate to oversee the District of Columbia. Returning to this model will allow for consistent, transparent governance that aligns with the interests of all Americans. It is time to acknowledge that the Home Rule experiment has failed and to restore the oversight necessary to make Washington, D.C., a city worthy of its role as our nation’s capital.


###


bottom of page