In a recent House hearing, Republican Representative Lauren Boebert sparked speculation about Donald Trump’s potential plans to rename Washington D.C.
She suggested that the former president, following his controversial renaming of the Gulf of Mexico, could soon turn his attention to the U.S. capital.
According to Boebert, Trump might rename the city “District of America” as part of his ongoing rebranding efforts.
Trump’s decision earlier this year to change the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” made headlines, with the renaming stirring both support and criticism.
The Gulf had been known by its original name for over 500 years, but Trump argued that the new name better reflected the region’s significance to the U.S.
Boebert Warns Democrats About Trump’s Next Move
Boebert, a staunch Trump ally, spoke during a House Natural Resources Committee meeting, where she was advocating for the passage of the Gulf of America Act.
While pushing for this bill to support Trump’s executive order, Boebert took a moment to warn her Democratic colleagues about the possibility of Washington D.C. becoming the “District of America.”
She cautioned, “Next up may be the District of America that we are working on.”
Her comments have sparked further discussion about Trump’s influence on Washington’s local affairs.
Trump and Bowser’s Ongoing Tensions Over D.C. Leadership
Trump’s suggestion to rename Washington D.C. would be the latest chapter in his contentious relationship with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
The city’s name, which honors Christopher Columbus, has been a symbol of U.S. history, but Trump’s plans to rebrand the capital are part of his broader strategy to challenge the city’s Democratic leadership.
Earlier in March, Trump demanded Bowser address the issue of homeless encampments in the city, marking a public clash between the two.
Despite these tensions, Bowser has made efforts to maintain a cooperative relationship with the Trump administration.
She even visited Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort to discuss mutual interests like getting federal workers back to the office.
The Black Lives Matter Mural and the Political Shift in D.C.
Trump has also made waves in D.C. by targeting the Black Lives Matter mural near the White House, which was painted during the height of the 2020 protests.
Trump’s administration had criticized the mural, and in early March, workers began removing it as part of a broader shift in the city’s political landscape.
While the mural was credited with calming tensions in the area during protests sparked by the death of George Floyd, Trump’s focus on removing symbols of protest is a clear message of his administration’s stance on the Black Lives Matter movement and related issues.
Bowser, for her part, has been less vocal on the matter but acknowledged the public’s dissatisfaction with the mural.
Trump’s Federal Takeover of D.C. Is Still a Real Possibility
One of Trump’s long-held positions has been advocating for a federal takeover of Washington D.C., which he has repeatedly criticized for its Democratic leadership.
Since taking office for his second term, Trump has pointed to the city’s rising crime rate and homelessness as evidence that the local government is failing.
This ongoing tension has led to legislative efforts to limit D.C.’s autonomy.
For example, in 2023, Congress overturned a rewrite of D.C.’s criminal code, with the support of both Democrats and Republicans.
Meanwhile, various budget riders have been used to influence local laws, from marijuana legalization to traffic camera regulations.
Trump’s Strained Relationship with Mayor Bowser
Despite these tensions, Trump has praised Bowser’s actions in recent months, even acknowledging her efforts at the Department of Justice.
However, Trump warned that if Bowser’s administration doesn’t take action to address issues like crime and homelessness, the federal government may have to step in. “We’re cleaning up our city,” he said in a recent speech.
“We’re not going to stand for crime, and we’re going to take the graffiti down.”
If Trump were to push forward with renaming the District of Columbia, it would undoubtedly spark more controversy, both in the media and within D.C.’s political establishment.
Bowser, known for her conciliatory tone, would likely find herself at the center of yet another battle with the Trump administration.