Trump threatens to take ‘federal control’ of DC after Doge staffer attack
Hello, and welcome to the day’s live US politics coverage. I’m Shrai Popat and I’ll be bringing you the latest.
Donald Trump has threatened a federal takeover of Washington DC, after an attempted carjacking of a former “department of government efficiency” (Doge) employee.
On Truth Social, the president shared a picture of Edward Coristine – a 19-year-old former Doge staffer – who appeared bloodied after the assault.
Trump wrote that DC is “totally out of control”, and if the city doesn’t “get it’s act together” he will have “no choice but to take Federal control”.
At the beginning of his second term, Trump said he supports a federal takeover of the nation’s capital. As of now, the DC Home Rule Act of 1973 means that DC residents elect their local politicians who run the daily functioning of the city.
Key events
Texas redistricting battle: where things stand
Another story we’re keeping tabs on throughout the day is the ongoing redistricting battle in Texas. It’s one that has grown by the day, so here’s where things stand at the moment.
State Democratic lawmakers have broken quorum for two consecutive days – forestalling the Texas legislature’s special session. Democrats fled the state over the weekend to protest a new GOP-drawn congressional map that could see Republicans pick up five extra House seats in the 2026 midterms if it passes.
While the legislators camp out in blue states like Illinois, New York and Massachusetts for “as long as it takes”, they’ve also set the stage for a showdown between the Texas governor and nationwide Democrats. The Texas Tribune reports that former Texas congressman Beto O’Rourke has been a top funder covering the costs of Texas lawmakers’ exodus. A reminder, fleeing Democrats are also facing a $500-a-day fine for leaving the special session without permission. It’s a fee that representatives the Guardian has spoken to are paying out of their own pocket.
Meanwhile, senator John Cornyn of Texas has asked the FBI to aid Texas law enforcement in locating and arresting Democrats who left the state. For his part, the state’s Republican attorney general Ken Paxton, said he would pursue a court ruling to declare the seats of “any rogue lawmakers” vacant if they do not return to work at the statehouse by Friday.
Beyond Texas’ borders, a redistricting “arms race” – as state rep. Gina Hinojosa described to the Guardian – has ensued. California governor Gavin Newsom is pushing for a special election to ask voters to override the state’s redistricting commission, and approve new maps that would favor California Democrats if Texas moved forward with its gerrymandering plan.
A White House official confirms to the Guardian that Donald Trump will make an announcement today that Apple plans to spend another $100bn on domestic manufacturing.
Apple CEO, Tim Cook, is expected to attend. In February, Apple pledged to invest $500bn in the US over the next four year.
Marsha Blackburn launches Tennessee governor bid
Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee announced today that she plans to run for governor of the state. The Republican lawmaker is now serving her second senate term. Outgoing governor Bill Lee, also a Republican, is term-limited.
In a video announcement posted on social media, Blackburn said she is “ready to deliver the kind of conservative leadership that will ensure our state is America’s conservative leader for this generation and the next”.
Blackburn is a staunch Trump ally, and aligned on many of his agenda items: from immigration to school choice.
Currently, her main contender is Tennessee congressman John Rose, who announced his candidacy for governor back in March.
The president is at the White House today. His public schedule is quiet for most of the day, but we can expect to see Trump at 4.30pm EDT today for an “announcement” in the Oval Office.
It’s not immediately clear what the announcement will focus on.
Trump threatens to take ‘federal control’ of DC after Doge staffer attack
Hello, and welcome to the day’s live US politics coverage. I’m Shrai Popat and I’ll be bringing you the latest.
Donald Trump has threatened a federal takeover of Washington DC, after an attempted carjacking of a former “department of government efficiency” (Doge) employee.
On Truth Social, the president shared a picture of Edward Coristine – a 19-year-old former Doge staffer – who appeared bloodied after the assault.
Trump wrote that DC is “totally out of control”, and if the city doesn’t “get it’s act together” he will have “no choice but to take Federal control”.
At the beginning of his second term, Trump said he supports a federal takeover of the nation’s capital. As of now, the DC Home Rule Act of 1973 means that DC residents elect their local politicians who run the daily functioning of the city.
