Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau issued the following statement on the District of Columbia’s right to self-governance today, February 20, 2025:

“The District of Columbia is not only our nation’s capital but also home to 700,000 residents. Our hard-won autonomy was granted through an act of Congress 50 years ago and has been continuously under attack ever since. Each of those times our government has worked with allies in Congress to minimize those attacks. We need those allies more than ever now, and we will fight for the rights of our residents whenever they are threatened.”

Councilmember Nadeau also thanked Attorney General Brian Schwalb for his statement today:

“Violent crime in DC reached a 30-year low last year and continues to decline. Family homelessness is down over 50% in the past decade. Our budget is balanced, our economy is growing, our small business community is thriving, and we are one of the most visited places in the country. A federal takeover of DC would violate the fundamental principle of self-governance on which this nation was founded. We will defend the rule of law, Home Rule, and the right to govern ourselves.“