Biden’s about-face on D.C. crime law angers Democrats

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden’s decision to allow Congress to potentially nix reforms to the criminal code of Washington, D.C., has left him facing sharp blowback from his own party as he prepares to launch his reelection campaign.

His promise to sign the Gop-led legislation reflects a rising desire among more moderate Democratic lawmakers to avoid being seen as soft on crime, especially in the wake of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s surprise primary loss earlier this week. The D.C. policy was criticized by Republicans and others as being too lenient toward violent criminals with the District of Columbia seeing an uptick in violent crime.

However, Biden’s revelation Thursday in a meeting with Senate Democrats that he would allow the bill to become law set off howls of objections from progressives and D.C. residents, who said the president is letting Congress step on the ability of Washington’s citizens to govern themselves.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Washington Democrat, is “deeply disappointed” in Biden’s decision.

“This is simple: the District of Columbia must be allowed to govern itself. Democrats’ commitment to home rule should apply regardless of the substance of the local legislation,” she said. “This is why the Congressional Progressive Caucus and its members have endorsed D.C. statehood, which is the only way to protect the 700,000 residents of the District from this kind of interference.”

The president’s decision also contradicts his own administration’s earlier stance, laid out in a statement of administration policy last month, that said, “Congress should respect the District of Columbia’s autonomy to govern its own local affairs.” Biden attempted to explain the reasoning behind his change of mind, saying in a tweet from his official account, “I support D.C. Statehood and home-rule — but I don’t support some of the changes D.C. Council put forward over the Mayor’s objections such as lowering penalties for carjackings. If the Senate votes to overturn what D.C. Council did, I’ll sign it.”

A vote on the measure is expected in the Senate next week. It has already passed the Gop-controlled House.

“One thing the president believes in is making sure that the streets in America and communities across the country are safe,” said White House press secretary Karine Jean-pierre. “That includes D.C.”

The district lacks the same rights that states have to make and amend laws. While Congress has allowed the city’s residents some powers of “home rule,” it has retained veto powers over district government actions. District residents also do not have voting members of Congress.

City officials have spent nearly two decades trying to redo Washington’s criminal laws, including redefining crimes, changing criminal justice policies and reworking how sentences should be handed down after convictions. The overhaul was approved late last year by the D.C. Council.