Federal Commission Takes Over DC Safety and Immigration Policy, Set to Expire in 2029

This bill, titled the "Make the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Act of 2026," sets up two distinct, temporary federal initiatives in D.C., both scheduled to sunset on January 2, 2029. First, it requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish a program within 30 days to coordinate federal and local efforts to clean up public spaces, remove graffiti, and restore damaged monuments across D.C. Second, and significantly, it establishes a powerful new federal body—the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Commission—to oversee and recommend policy changes across a wide range of local public safety issues.

The Federal Clean-Up Crew: Beautification and Coordination

Section 2 focuses on making D.C. look better. It mandates the Secretary of the Interior to consult with the Mayor, the Attorney General, and others to create a plan for maintaining cleanliness in all public areas, from sidewalks to transit systems and federal monuments. Think of this as a federally mandated, coordinated spring cleaning effort for the nation's capital. For the average commuter or resident, this means potentially cleaner parks, better-maintained sidewalks, and quicker repair of damaged public property. The goal is to get all the various agencies—federal and local—on the same page regarding basic maintenance, which is something everyone can appreciate when navigating the city on their way to work or school.

The Commission: Policy Overhaul and Federal Oversight

Section 3 creates the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Commission, and this is where the bill shifts gears dramatically, moving from beautification to broad federal oversight of local policy. This Commission is not a local body; it’s a federal entity composed of representatives from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, and three different U.S. Attorney’s Offices (D.C., Maryland, and Virginia). This heavy concentration of federal law enforcement and justice agencies suggests a strong focus on enforcement and security, rather than just coordination.

One of the Commission's explicit functions is to develop policies for the “maximum enforcement of federal immigration law” and to monitor D.C.’s compliance with federal law, specifically targeting its status as a sanctuary city. For undocumented immigrants living and working in D.C., this provision could translate into significantly heightened risk of apprehension and deportation, as federal agencies are explicitly directed to prioritize enforcement. This is a direct federal challenge to local D.C. policy regarding how it interacts with its residents, regardless of immigration status.

Real-World Impacts on Safety and Justice

The Commission is also tasked with several public safety initiatives that directly impact D.C. residents. It will assist the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) with officer recruitment and retention, which could mean more officers on the street and potentially lower crime rates. It will also collaborate with local government to help process concealed carry license requests “faster and at lower cost.” If you’re a D.C. resident seeking a concealed carry permit, the bill aims to streamline that process.

Crucially, the Commission is also directed to review and recommend revisions to federal pretrial detention policies to ensure individuals who pose a public safety threat are detained to the “maximum extent permitted by law.” This suggests a push toward stricter detention standards, potentially reducing the number of people released pending trial. While aimed at public safety, this could also mean more people spending time in jail before they have been convicted, impacting their jobs, families, and ability to prepare their defense.

Finally, the Commission is tasked with reducing fare evasion and other crime within the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) system, which could mean a more robust presence of federal and local law enforcement in the Metro. For the daily commuter, this might mean a safer ride, but also more scrutiny and enforcement for minor infractions. All these powerful, policy-setting functions are concentrated within a temporary federal body, fundamentally changing the relationship between federal oversight and local D.C. governance until the program terminates in early 2029.