President Trump said Thursday the federal government will take over Washington if Democratic socialist Janeese Lewis George is elected mayor.
During an Oval Office event, Mr. Trump was asked how he’d respond if Ms. Lewis George wins the primary next week, which would virtually guarantee her election as mayor in November.
“I wouldn’t like it,” Mr. Trump said. “And maybe we’ll take back Washington, run it on the federal basis. We won’t put up with it. We’re not going to lose our business.”
The president then pivoted to his efforts to improve the nation’s capital, citing the restoration of water fountains in the city and deployment of National Guard to patrol the streets and deter crime.
“The people are coming, restaurants are thriving … Washington is thriving,” Mr. Trump said.
Ms. Lewis George, who has served as a city council member for the past six years, has a double-digit lead over her opponent, Kenyan McDuffie, a former city council member. Both are lawyers and graduates of Howard University.
Ms. Lewis George has 36% support among likely voters compared to Mr. McDuffie, who has 25% support, according to a Washington Post-Schar School poll.
Critics and supporters have compared her candidacy to the campaign last year of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, another Democratic socialist.
Ms. Lewis George has promised universal access to affordable childcare and government-owned social housing and pledged to fund some of her initiatives by taxing Washington-based companies whose owners live outside the city.
She also pledged to take a more combative approach to Mr. Trump than current Mayor Muriel Bowser, who has tried to work with the president. Ms. Lewis George also made cutting any ties with federal immigration enforcement a key component of her platform.
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