House Republicans launch investigation into DC Muriel Bowser and local rise in violent crime

Republicans on the House Oversight Committee wrote to DC Mayor Muriel Bowser complaining about violent crime and homeless settlements on the nation’s Capitol.

The letter accuses Bowser of contributing to the ‘decline’ of the city, which has experienced an economic boom in recent years – but has seen an increase in homelessness and shootings, as part of a trend to scale national.

“As violent crime and homelessness has increased at an uncontrolled rate throughout the city, your administration appears to have given up on trying to prevent the district from descending into chaos,” the lawmakers wrote.

The letter refers to the September shooting of Tarshaqua Chappell, 37, of Temple Hills, Md., Who was gunned down inside his car with a small child in the back seat.

DC has a long and controversial history with Congress, which exercised more direct control over city affairs. The panel is led by Democrats, but it is certain that it will clash more with the city on “home rule” issues if the Republicans take control of the House.

Lawmakers also refer to tent camps in parks around the city that are visible to visitors and locals, Fox News reported.

“The message from your office regarding the future role and funding of the city police is contributing to the decline,” the lawmakers wrote. “As the jurisdiction committee for all matters involving the District of Columbia, the House Committee on Republican Watch and Reform is calling for information regarding this dangerous trend in the nation’s capital.”

The coup in DC comes months after the House passed a bill to grant DC statehood in April, though the measure faces long chances in the Senate. The city is strongly Democrat in registration, and residents have long demanded representation of its nearly 700,000 citizens.

“The tent cities are scattered throughout the district for any tourist or commuter to see,” they wrote. Many lawmakers fall into the commuter variety, visiting Washington during the work week before returning to their districts

House Democrats passed a Washington state bill in April

Tents for the homeless line the median along Connecticut Avenue in Dupont Circle in the northwest, during the coronavirus pandemic, Wednesday, April 29, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)

Sgt. US Capitol Police Aquilino Gonell, DC Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone, DC Metropolitan Police Officer Daniel Hodges, and US Capitol Police Private First Class Harry Dunn -Unis were sworn in to testify before the special House committee investigating Jan. 6. attack on the United States Capitol on July 27, 2021 at the United States Capitol in Washington, DC

The letter also mentioned a homeless camp in the city center.

“Earlier this year, the residents of Mount Vernon Square wrote to the United States Park Police calling for the removal of homeless settlements, highlighting various criminal and health violations by residents,” they said. wrote, noting that this had been refused, “and the district’s homeless population is increasing. ‘

Tarshaqua Chapel

“The tent cities are scattered throughout the district for any tourist or commuter to see,” he said.

The city adopted the protesters’ themes after the George Floyd protests broke out in 2020, painting “Black Lives Matter” on a street near the White House.

A more permanent Black Lives Matter Plaza is currently under construction right across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House, with the tagline spelled out in brick and concrete.

DC Police testified during a Congressional inquiry into the Jan.6 riot on Capitol Hill, after its members rushed to relieve the overwhelmed Capitol Police.

According to DC government data, homicides increased 9% in 2021 from a year ago, after jumping 19% the year before.