House passes DC Crimes Act and juvenile sentencing bill; White House seeks dismissal of D.C. Guard suit
The House passed two GOP-led bills reshaping D.C.’s criminal justice system: the DC Crimes Act, 240–179 with 30 Democrats in support, lowering the youth‑offender age from 24 to 18, requiring sentences at least as long as adult mandatory minimums, and mandating a public youth‑crime data website; and the D.C. Juvenile Sentencing Reform Act, 225–203 with eight Democratic votes and Rep. Thomas Massie as the lone Republican “no,” allowing juveniles as young as 14 to be tried as adults for serious violent crimes. As Mayor Muriel Bowser defended city policy in a House hearing amid a continued federal public‑safety surge, the White House moved to dismiss D.C.’s lawsuit over National Guard intervention and to block a temporary injunction, with 23 states siding with the administration and 22 backing the District.
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
"Liz Peek argues Trump’s federal crackdowns in D.C. expose Democrats as soft on crime—highlighted by their resistance to a D.C. youth‑crime bill—and set up a 1988‑style political defeat for them."
📰 Sources (3)
- D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser testified before the House Oversight Committee, defending city policies and acknowledging the federal surge has enhanced crime‑reduction efforts.
- The Trump emergency order that federalized MPD has expired, but federal agencies and the National Guard continue operations in D.C. into a second month.
- Committee Chair Rep. James Comer opened with a list of recent crimes, including the fatal shooting of congressional intern Eric Tarpinian‑Jachym, and blamed 'soft on crime' local policies.
- Trump has threatened another emergency order if Bowser declines cooperation with immigration enforcement.
- Hearing lines broke along party affiliation, with Democrats defending D.C. leadership.
- DC Crimes Act specifics: lowers the youth‑offender age in D.C. from 24 to 18, requires sentences at least as long as adult mandatory minimums, and mandates a public website publishing youth crime statistics.
- Updated vote detail: DC Crimes Act passed 240–179 with 30 Democrats in support (article cites 30, not 31); the D.C. Juvenile Sentencing Reform Act passed 225–203 with 8 Democrats backing it and Rep. Thomas Massie as the lone Republican no on both bills.
- New legal development: Late Tuesday, the administration filed to deny D.C.’s request for a temporary injunction and to dismiss the city’s lawsuit over the National Guard intervention; 23 states filed in support of the administration and 22 backed the district.
- On‑record statements: Rep. James Comer said the stricter guidelines target serious crimes including murder and noted D.C.’s juvenile definition is 'seven years higher' than other cities; Rep. Jasmine Crockett criticized the intervention as contrary to small‑government principles.
- DC CRIMES Act (Byron Donalds) passed 240–179; reduces youth‑offender statutory age from 24 to 18 and generally bars sentences below mandatory minimums for juvenile offenders
- Second bill (Brandon Gill) passed 225–203; allows trying juveniles as young as 14 as adults for crimes including murder, first‑degree sexual abuse, armed robbery and first‑degree burglary
- Dem crossover: 31 Dems backed the first bill; eight backed the second; Rep. Thomas Massie (R‑Ky.) opposed the second bill