D.C. crime laws conflict, creating political tempest

WASHINGTON — Congress’ expected vote this week to overturn District of Columbia laws dealing with criminal justice and voting has created a political tempest in the nation’s capital — and reflects a contentious political dynamic that is playing out more broadly across the country.

Predominantly white legislative bodies are seeking to curb or usurp the authority of local governments in cities with large Black populations, particularly on issues related to public safety and elections.

Local activists decry it as the latest effort to undermine cities’ ability to determine their own future.

U.S. senators — lawmakers from all 50 states — are expected to vote on a measure to reject a sweeping rewrite easing some penalties in the city’s criminal code, approved unanimously last year by the District’s 13-member council. The measure killing the local changes seems likely to pass despite the slim Democratic majority in the Senate, and President Joe Biden has indicated he will sign it.

It’s a fresh chapter in a tortured relationship between Congress and Washington’s local elected leaders, who have long complained about congressional interference in their affairs. Similar inroads on local authority are happening elsewhere around the country, often intertwined with issues of race.

In Missouri, the state House of Representatives has approved a bill that would effectively give Republican Gov. Mike Parson control of the St. Louis police department. Last month, the same body voted to strip power from St. Louis’ elected prosecutor.

In Mississippi, the state House has approved a measure to create a new court district in part of the capital city of Jackson with judges who would be appointed rather than elected. It also would expand areas of the city patrolled by a state-run Capitol police force.

The Mississippi Senate has voted to create a regional board to take control of Jackson’s troubled water system. Democratic state Sen. John Horhn calls that “a symbolic decapitation of Black elected leadership.”

Amir Badat, with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, draws a connection between the “seemingly discrete and unconnected events” in Missouri, Mississippi and Washington, D.C.

“I do think that there’s an overall, overarching connection between what we’re seeing, and that is predominantly white governments trying to exert control and authority over Black communities and large Black jurisdictions in the states.” He also pointed to the recent push by Georgia’s State Election Board to review elections in Fulton County, which includes Atlanta.

“Here are all sorts of measures that we’ve seen in the elections context that really go to this, and now we’re seeing that pop up in other contexts, as well, like public safety,” he said.

“It’s done,” said District Councilmember Charles Allen in a Friday radio interview. “This is just the beginning of what we’re going to see Republicans being able to do.”