Sen. Van Hollen Introduces Resolution to End Trump's Crime Emergency in Washington D.C.
A joint resolution terminating the emergency determined by the President on August 11, 2025, in the Executive Order titled "Declaring a crime emergency in the District of Columbia".
This bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. It has been sent to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs for review. There are no upcoming votes scheduled at this time.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- Sen. Van Hollen and 12 other senators introduced a joint resolution to terminate the crime emergency that Trump declared in D.C. on August 11, 2025. The resolution uses the D.C. Home Rule Act to end the emergency, which gave the federal government control over the Metropolitan Police Department.
From policy text
“pursuant to section 740(b) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act (sec. 1-207.40(b), D.C. Official Code), the emergency determined by the President on August 11, 2025, in the Executive order titled ``Declaring a crime emergency in the District of Columbia'' is hereby terminated.”
View in full text - The senators argue that there is no factual basis for the emergency declaration because violent crime in D.C. has been falling for two straight years and is now at its lowest point in three decades.
From policy text
“violent crime in the District of Columbia has declined for the past 2 years and currently stands at a 30-year low”
View in full text - The resolution highlights that the federal government has blocked D.C. from spending $1 billion of its own locally raised tax revenue, money the city had already budgeted for police, fire and emergency services, and schools.
From policy text
“the Federal Government, in 2025, has prevented the District of Columbia from spending $1,000,000,000 of its own locally raised revenues--money that was budgeted for essential public safety purposes, including law enforcement, fire and emergency response services, and schools”
View in full text - If passed, this resolution would restore local control over D.C.'s police department and free up the frozen budget funds so the city can spend its own money on the public safety and education services its residents depend on.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
State Impacts
Milestones
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Introduced in Senate
Related News
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House and Senate Democrats unveiled a resolution to rescind the 'crime emergency' declaration in Washington, D.C. The measure challenges the federalization of local police, citing a two-year decline in violent crime and the freezing of $1 billion in local tax revenue by the federal government.
Trump's DC police takeover has a likely expiration date
Sen. Van Hollen and other Democrats are preparing resolutions to block the extension of Trump's D.C. police takeover. They argue the 'emergency' is manufactured, noting that crime statistics show the city is at a 30-year low and that federal control is disrupting local budget priorities.
DC sues to end Trump's National Guard deployment as Congress lets police takeover expire
As the 30-day window for federal police control nears its end, D.C. officials are pushing for the removal of the National Guard. The resolution to end the emergency points to a 30-year low in crime and the withholding of $1 billion in local funds intended for schools and emergency services.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
A joint resolution terminating the emergency determined by the President on August 11, 2025, in the Executive Order titled "Declaring a crime emergency in the District of Columbia".
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