Florida Republican Congressman Byron Donalds has been a vocal critic of crime in the capital, aiding in the Trump administration’s federal takeover of Washington, D.C., with his “D.C. Crimes Act.” The bill passed the House with a bipartisan vote of 240-179.
“The House has PASSED my bill, HR 4922 – "The DC CRIMES Act" with a BIPARTISAN VOTE of 240-179. Simply put, if you're 18-24 years old and you commit a crime in our nation's capital, you should be sentenced as an adult. This is common sense. We are Making DC Safe Again.” Rep. Donalds announced on social media.
The bill aims to address juvenile crime by lowering D.C.'s definition of a "youth" from 24 to under 18, requiring courts to try individuals 18 and older as adults and bringing the city in line with the rest of the country. Previously, the law granted offenders under 25 the same leniency as minors, a policy critics say fueled rampant youth crime in the district.
“Lawlessness is a choice. It's time for Congress to step up, adhere to our constitutional duty, and firmly address the crime in our nation’s capital. My bill, H.R. 4922 – "The D.C. CRIMES Act" does just that," he further commented. "Adult criminals should be sentenced as adults. THIS IS COMMON SENSE.”
Donalds has also been a vocal supporter of the federal takeover of D.C. The Florida Republican shared comments on the House floor, illustrating how it holds a constitutional right to hold jurisdiction over the district.
“Congress does have the constitutional authority to regulate activities within the Federal District. So when it is said that somehow Congress is now eroding local control, that is simply not true," he expressed. "Any local powers by the DC City Council have been granted to the DC City Council by Congress, and Congress is the seat of authority when it comes to the federal enclave.”
He also believes the Trump administration’s takeover is a necessary move in the face of mismanagement by district officials.
"Rather than prioritizing the safety of law-abiding and protecting the lives of innocent residents and visitors, district officials have actively facilitated dysfunction and chaos through their progressive, soft-on-crime policies," he explained. "Instead of addressing the clear epidemic of youth crime in the city.”
The Florida representative concluded his remarks by commending President Trump’s initiative to greatly reduce the amount of crime prevalent in D.C.
“The Trump administration's efforts have shown that lawlessness is a choice, and it is time for Congress to step up, adhere to our constitutional duty, and firmly address crime in the nation's capital,” he concluded.
