GOP’s Emmer Hails DC Anti-Crime Bills Passed by House, Urges Support for Trump’s Larger Crackdown

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, the third-ranking Republican in the House, is calling on Congress to back President Donald Trump’s Washington, D.C., public safety crackdown with a series of crime bills.

Trump “has shown everyone across the country that it is actually possible to make America safe again, if leaders have the will to do it,” Emmer, R-Minn., told The Daily Signal in an exclusive interview.

“In the District of Columbia, since he started this D.C. crackdown, crime is way down,” said Emmer. “He has restored law and order like we have not seen in the almost decade that I’ve been around here, and I think especially the young people who are being victimized, assaulted, robbed, I think they will tell you that it’s a new day in the District.”

DC Crime Bills

To back up Trump’s law enforcement measures in the nation’s capital, House Republicans have a slate of 13 bills to address D.C. crime, with two already passed Tuesday.

“We got the DC Crimes Act, which you may have heard of. Rep. Byron Donalds from Florida is the author,” Emmer said, referencing a bill which passed 240-179 through the House, with Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky being the only Republican voting against it.

The bill “addresses a problem that we have, because right now, in the District of Columbia, anyone who is under the age of 25 is considered a youth for purposes of sentencing guidelines. It defies common sense,” said Emmer, adding:

The DC Crimes Act corrects this by lowering the definition of youth to anyone under 18 years old. If someone’s old enough to vote, they should be old enough to be held accountable for their crimes.

Emmer castigated Democrats for opposing it.

“Incredibly, 178 Democrats voted against that bill yesterday, which again shows that while Republicans are pro-law and order and are about the safety and security of the American citizen and their property, our Democrat colleagues are clearly pro-crime and pro-criminal,” said Emmer.

Additionally, the House passed the D.C. Juvenile Sentencing Reform Act on Tuesday. Introduced by freshman Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, the bill lowers the age at which a minor can be charged for violent crimes in a felony court, as opposed to a juvenile court, from 16 to 14.

It passed 225-203 in the House, with Massie again as the only Republican in opposition.

“As of last February … juvenile crime in the District was more than twice the national average. As of April this year, juveniles in the District made up 60% of all carjacking arrests,” said Emmer. “Lowering the age at which a minor can be charged as an adult for these crimes is going to keep dangerous criminals off the streets, and it’s going to make other potential criminals think twice before making a life-altering decision.”

Emmer once again chided the Democrats who voted against the bill.

“202 Democrats voted with the criminals. They prefer the crime, apparently, over the No. 1 job of government, which is to protect the American citizen and his or her property,” he told The Daily Signal. “Republicans are going to side with the American public when it comes to safety and security.” They prefer the crime, apparently, over the No. 1 job of government, which is to protect the American citizen and his or her property,” he told The Daily Signal. “Republicans are going to side with the American public when it comes to safety and security.”

Trump’s Comprehensive Crime Bill

In August, Trump announced on social media he was working on a comprehensive crime bill with Republican leadership in both houses of Congress.

Congress is, at the moment, busy seeking to avoid a government shutdown, as federal funding runs out at the end of the federal fiscal year on Sept. 30.

But Emmer told The Daily Signal he expects this crime bill will become law, although it will require local cooperation to be effective.

“Absolutely. You’re seeing a lot of the pieces. But keep in mind, the federal government is responsible for the federal laws. It’s going to take local leadership, at the city level, at the county level, at the state level, to enforce their own laws,” said Emmer, adding:

“Trump is just showing them how you do it. And in these places where he is threatening to help, those leaders should recognize the reason he’s threatening to help is because he’s hearing from their voters. Their voters are letting the president know, ‘Please help us.’”

But on the subject of Washington, D.C., in particular, Emmer thinks it’s a priority and an area where Congress has considerable constitutionally prescribed power.

“The District is unique because Congress is responsible for the District. Yes, back in the ’70s, Congress gave the District the ability to have its own council, and other things have developed over time,” Emmer said. 

“One of our members actually brought a bill to dissolve the governing pieces and restore Congress’ direct authority over the District. I’d be supportive of that. I think what this is, is President Trump is showing in particular these failed governors in blue states like mine … this is how you protect your citizens and their property.”

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