The nation’s capital has devolved from a political battleground into a literal killing field, according to one Republican senator.
Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) called Tuesday for Congress to take on more of an active role overseeing the District of Columbia following a spate of carjackings, vandalism, and other violent crimes.
“I just want to make sure your listeners understand,” Marshall told Fox Business Network host Maria Bartiromo. “Washington, DC has become a war zone. I fear for the safety and life of my workers on Capitol Hill walking to and from work.”
Article 1, Section 8, Clause 17 of the Constitution grants Congress the power “to exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever” over federal districts, while the DC Home Rule Act of 1973 still grants the legislature certain powers — including the right to block local legislation.
Last year, Congress moved for the first time in over 30 years to flex that power and overturn the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022, which loosened criminal penalties for some felonies — including armed robbery.
Overall crime in Washington skyrocketed in 2023, with homicides jumping 35%, robbery up 67%, motor vehicle theft surging 82%, and all violent crime rising 39%, per data from the Metropolitan Police Department.
For 2024, however, homicides year-to-date have dipped 21%, robberies have slipped 27%, motor vehicle theft has dropped 31%, and all violent crime has fallen 26%.
Marshall’s disparagement of DC came during a riff about a flyer posted by Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas) showing instructions for noncitizens to vote in the city’s elections.
“We have legislation that would require people voting in these Washington DC local elections to be citizens of the United States,” Marshall explained, contending that Congress can intervene and slap down non-citizen voting in the District.
“We need people electing a mayor who is going to keep people safe,” he added.
Last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) unveiled the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would mandate anyone registering to vote in the US provide proof of citizenship.
That legislation is not expected to clear the Democratic-controlled Senate or escape President Biden’s veto pen.