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Trump: Federal government ‘should govern District of Columbia’ | Virginia

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Sarah Roderick-Fitch | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-02-20 10:27:00

(The Center Square) – President Donald Trump voiced his support for repealing the District of Columbia’s Home Rule Act, citing crime, homelessness and “graffiti.”

Trump relayed his stance Wednesday to reporters aboard Air Force One. The president was blunt in his assessment of the district, saying the federal government would run it more effectively.

“I think that we should govern the District of Columbia,” Trump said. “It’s so important, the D.C. situation. I think that we should run it strong, run it with law and order, make it absolutely flawless. And I think we should take over Washington, D.C.”

Trump echoed claims by Republican lawmakers, who recently introduced legislation in Congress to repeal the Home Rule Act, that the district is plagued by violence and grime.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., introduced the legislation, saying it comes in response to the “mayor and City Council’s failure to prevent violent crime, corruption, and voting by noncitizens.”

The duo tied the title of the legislation to Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser. The Bringing Oversight to Washington and Safety to Every Resident Act can be shortened to the BOWSER Act.

Trump was also critical of the mayor despite claiming to have a good relationship with her.

“I get along great with the mayor, but they’re not doing the job − too much crime, too much graffiti, too many tents on the lawns,” the president said. “There’s magnificent lawns and there’s tents. It’s a sad thing, homeless people all over the place.”

Trump said when foreign leaders visit the district, they will be met with homelessness and tents all over the city.

“We can’t have that in Washington, D.C.,” he added. “When they come in to see me – like Macron is coming, the prime minister of the U.K. is coming, all these people coming over to see me. We’ll have ultimately President Xi, we’ll have everybody. … You can’t let that happen.”

The District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973 was enacted by Congress and ratified by D.C. voters. The act gave the district residents limited autonomy over local affairs, allowing them to elect local leaders, including mayors and council members.

According to Article 1, Section 8, Clause 17 of the U.S. Constitution, Congress has the authority to manage the nation’s capital.

In defense of the proposed legislation, Lee underscored crime and corruption as reasons for revoking the act, saying it is a scorn on the nation’s capital.

“The corruption, crime, and incompetence of the D.C. government has been an embarrassment to our nation’s capital for decades,” said the senator. “It is long past time that Congress restored the honor and integrity of George Washington to the beautiful city which bears his name.” 

The lawmakers cited “a long history of official corruption, federal bribery charges against a council member, armed carjackings, public beatings on public transit, assaults and robberies against congressional staff and members of Congress, soft on crime policies, allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections and regulations causing a high cost of living.”

Despite the president’s and lawmakers’ claims, the Metropolitan Police Department reports that crime is decreasing. The violent crime rate dropped 35% between 2023 and 2024, according to the department, while property crimes were down 11% between 2023 and 2024. Overall, the district had a 15% reduction in crime between 2023 and 2024.

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Youngkin removes Ellis, appoints Cuccinelli to UVa board | Virginia

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-03-28 13:17:00

(The Center Square) – Bert Ellis is out, Ken Cuccinelli is in, and Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s latest move to reshape University of Virginia leadership is already drawing fire from alumni.

Youngkin removed Ellis from the University of Virginia Board of Visitors on Tuesday, citing repeated violations of the board’s code of conduct.

His letter did not specify which actions crossed the line but said the conduct violated both state and university guidelines.

Ellis, appointed by Youngkin in 2022, had become a vocal critic of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. He publicly supported eliminating the university’s office and called on the governor to hold university leadership accountable.

In a response Tuesday night, Ellis said he never planned to resign and urged Youngkin to reverse his decision, warning diversity, equity and inclusion at the University of Virginia “has not been eliminated.”

He called on the governor to hold university President Jim Ryan accountable and restore “common sense” to the university by “ending DEI for good, stopping antisemitism, and reducing costs.”

“This fight is not for the faint of heart and requires a fighter to ensure that the governor’s and President Trump’s agendas are achieved,” Ellis said. “I never agreed to resign, nor would I ever do so.”

He accused the governor of being misled by “bad actors who don’t actually want to see results” and described UVa’s leadership as “ideological bullies.”

In a plea to Youngkin and the public, Ellis said: “We must dig in and hold the line.”

He ended his statement by reaffirming his mission to make UVa “a beacon of excellence, the shining city on the hill, and a model for the nation.”

Just hours after his removal, Youngkin announced his intent to appoint Ken Cuccinelli, a former Virginia attorney general and Trump-era Homeland Security official. Cuccinelli, a UVa alumnus, said he would work to “restore a culture of merit and end all forms of discrimination.”

The Jefferson Council, a conservative UVa alumni group, said in statement that they were “deeply disturbed” by Ellis’s removal, calling it “ill-timed” and claiming he was being punished for demanding oversight. In a statement, they called him a “steadfast champion” of transparency and said the decision sends the wrong message to students and faculty.

Youngkin praised Cuccinelli as a “man of deep principle” whose legal experience would help UVa navigate “the ongoing changes and challenges in higher education.”

Del. Katrina Callsen, D-Charlottesville, posted to social media she hoped the move would “restore respectful and sensible conduct” to the board.

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Chesterfield man accused of killing father

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www.youtube.com – 12 On Your Side – 2025-03-27 18:20:32

SUMMARY: A Chesterfield man, Frank Wyatt, confessed to killing his father, Richard Wyatt, in a shocking admission at a Richmond police station. Frank, 46, told detectives he choked his father during a physical altercation, checked on him after he stopped breathing, then pushed his father down the stairs. The two had a history of domestic issues, including previous assaults. Frank later sought refuge at a shelter before reporting the crime. He faces a second-degree murder charge. Neighbors are devastated, with many expressing disbelief over the tragic event. Authorities suspect Frank may suffer from a mental health condition.

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Chesterfield Police are giving more details about a “suspicious death” at a home.

Story: https://www.12onyourside.com/2025/03/27/court-documents-reveal-chesterfield-man-confesses-killing-father/

#12onyourside #crime #chesterfieldva #localnews #suspiciousdeath

For more Local News from WWBT: https://www.12onyourside.com/
For more YouTube Content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh-MRi3cyDN0DO1AvvVYFlg

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Chesterfield Police investigating ‘suspicious death’

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www.youtube.com – 12 On Your Side – 2025-03-27 08:11:06

SUMMARY: Chesterfield Police are investigating a suspicious death on Golden Brook Drive after responding to a request from Richmond police around 2:15 PM. Officers discovered one person deceased inside a residence. The identity of the deceased and the circumstances surrounding the death remain unknown. Neighbors expressed shock at the heavy police presence, noting the normally quiet nature of the neighborhood. One neighbor remarked that the situation indicated something serious was happening. Investigators have been working on the scene for several hours and will continue their investigation. Updates will be provided later tonight.

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Chesterfield Police are investigating what they say is a “suspicious death” at a home.

For more Local News from WWBT: https://www.12onyourside.com/
For more YouTube Content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh-MRi3cyDN0DO1AvvVYFlg

#chesterfield #12onyourside #investigation #police #Richmond #localnews #safety

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