Trump says he’ll ask Congress for $2B for DC improvements

President Trump said Friday he planned to ask Congress for $2 billion to make improvements around Washington, D.C., the latest instance of the president intervening in the day-to-day operations of the nation’s capital.

“We’re going to be raising about $2 billion from Congress, and Congress is happy to do it, and we’re going to wisely spend the money,” Trump told reporters Friday.

The president suggested he wanted to improve the city’s rusting light poles, repave its streets and make other beautification efforts. He has previously complained about the appearance of the grass in some of the city’s parks.

“And we’re going to have this place beautified within a period of 12 months,” Trump said.

Asked later Friday how he would come up with the money, Trump said he had already spoken to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and that it would not be a significant amount.

The Trump administration earlier this month began surging federal law enforcement across parts of the District to crack down on what the White House said was an unacceptable level of crime, though statistics show violent crime has declined in the city this year.

Last week, Trump took federal control of the Metropolitan Police Department and deployed hundreds of National Guard troops across the city to further the crackdown on crime. Trump has the authority to do those things because of home rule laws that govern the District of Columbia.

Trump also chastised Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) on Friday over her handling of the District.

“Mayor Bowser better get her act straight or she won’t be mayor very long, because we’re taking over with the federal government, running it like it’s supposed to be run,” Trump said.

“It was a crime-infested rathole. And they do have a lot of rats — we’re getting rid of them too. And we’ve made a lot of progress.”

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