Minnesota State Wire

Pete Stauber, Representative of Minnesota, said that placing the D.C. police under federal control protects visitors and praised President Trump's leadership. The statement was made on X.

"When Minnesotans visit our nation's capital, they shouldn't fear for their safety," said Peter Allen Stauber, U.S. Representative of Minnesota's 8th Congressional District (R). "Fortunately, President Trump is going to restore law and order in D.C. Just as he did at the southern border. I'm grateful for his strong leadership and commitment to public safety."

In August 2025, President Trump invoked the D.C. Home Rule Act to take federal control of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and deploy National Guard troops, citing a public safety crisis. According to Time, this move sparked legal challenges from city leaders who argued it violated D.C.'s home-rule authority. A federal judge later blocked the replacement of MPD’s chief, ruling that federal control could not override D.C.’s governance structure.

According to MPD data cited by the Department of Justice, violent crime in Washington, D.C., fell by 35% between 2023 and 2024, including a 32% drop in homicides and a 53% decline in carjackings. As of August 2025, violent crime is down another 26% year-over-year, marking a sustained decrease. These declines contrast sharply with claims that crime in the city is escalating.

As noted by Just Security, past federal interventions in D.C. policing—including National Guard deployments—have shown limited effect on long-term crime trends. For example, D.C. crime rates were already falling before the 2025 intervention, suggesting that local efforts, not federal force, have driven safety improvements. The data shows a correlation with local reforms rather than federal oversight.

According to his official biography on House.gov, Pete Stauber is a Republican representing Minnesota’s 8th District since 2019 and formerly served over 20 years as a police officer. He is also a former Duluth City Council member and county commissioner. Stauber is active in legislation related to public safety and frequently cites his law enforcement background in Congress.