D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed reports that President Donald Trump is poised to sign an executive order aimed at public safety and homeless encampments in the District.
The order is expected to increase criminal penalties for some violent crimes as well as smaller, quality-of-life crimes such as public urination.
The executive order, first reported by The Washington Post, would also order the clearing of homeless encampments in the District and removal of graffiti from monuments.
Bowser acknowledged Wednesday the White House briefed her on the executive order.
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“We haven't seen it and we have had a briefing that I would call at the 30,000-foot level,” she said. “And I'm not sure if it was complete. So, that's why I have asked to see anything that they would move related to the District. And they have committed to working through it with us, to telling us what the intent is.”
The mayor declined to criticize the executive order or provide specifics on what the White House told her.
“I am hard pressed to comment on any specifics other than, I know that the president is very focused on beautification issues,” Bowser said.
Trump is expected to sign the order as soon as Friday.
Recent legislation proposed by two Republican members of Congress would strip the D.C. government of its powers and elected leaders, including the mayor and D.C. Council. The bill is called the Bringing Oversight to Washington and Safety to Every Resident Act, or BOWSER Act. A similar bill was previously introduced and died in committee. This time, Republicans have control of both the House and the Senate.
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