D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said she had a “great meeting” with President-elect Donald Trump on Monday, expressing optimism about finding common ground during his second term.
Bowser’s meeting, which she requested in November, focused on collaboration between the federal and local governments on shared priorities, including infrastructure, federal workforce concerns, and underutilized federal properties.
In a late-night statement, Bowser said both leaders were committed to making Washington, D.C., “the best, most beautiful city in the world” and ensuring that the capital reflects the nation’s strength. Bowser added that she looks forward to supporting Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, an event where the District traditionally plays a major role in providing security.
Bowser’s statement did not address D.C.’s fraught relationship with Trump or the mayor’s longstanding concerns about federal interference in local governance.
During the election campaign, Trump routinely criticized the city, promising to “take over the horribly run capital of our nation” and overhaul its management. His rhetoric added to the fears among local leaders about potential federal overreach, including the possibility of federalizing the Metropolitan Police Department or other moves to limit the city’s autonomy.
Bowser, who has pledged to defend D.C.’s self-governance, reaffirmed those commitments in November after Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris.
“We have been discussing and planning for many months in case the District has to defend itself,” Bowser said. Her administration remains prepared to resist federal encroachments, emphasizing that local leadership will not cede control of the city’s institutions.
Tensions between Trump and Bowser have been long-standing. In 2020, following the killing of George Floyd, Bowser had “Black Lives Matter” painted in bold yellow letters on the street leading to the White House after federal police used tear gas, rubber bullets, and other measures to forcibly clear peaceful protesters from Lafayette Square for Trump’s photo opportunity at St. John’s Episcopal Church.
She later renamed the intersection “Black Lives Matter Plaza,” underscoring her opposition to Trump’s handling of racial justice protests.
Trump frequently disparaged D.C. throughout his presidency, citing crime and governance issues. During his first presidential debate with Biden, Trump falsely claimed he offered the District 10,000 National Guard troops before the January 6 Capitol attack, a claim Bowser refuted. She clarified on social media that the president — not the mayor — controls the D.C. National Guard and emphasized the city’s swift deployment of its police department to support U.S. Capitol Police that day.
Bowser’s relationship with Trump has been defined by public clashes over D.C.’s governance and identity as a federal district without statehood. Trump and congressional Republicans have repeatedly sought to override local decisions, including efforts on police reform and voting rights for noncitizens in local elections. Most recently, House Republicans advanced a bill to block noncitizen voting, signaling continued federal challenges to the District’s autonomy under Trump’s leadership.
Despite their history of tension, Bowser’s recent meeting with Trump signals an effort to prioritize collaboration where possible. Still, her administration remains vigilant against federal overreach.
“When we know about threats to our police department, we have followed the law and defended ourselves,” Bowser said, reiterating that this will remain her approach as the District braces for further challenges.
