A House Oversight Committee hearing on federal oversight of Washington, D.C. turned tense this week as Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib accused the Trump administration of staging a “fascist takeover” of the District and clashed openly with Florida Rep. Byron Donalds.
The hearing, chaired by Rep. James Comer, focused on recent legislation passed by the House aimed at addressing crime in the nation’s capital.
The measures, sponsored in part by Donalds, impose new limits on the District’s ability to set its own criminal justice policies and give the federal government increased authority over law enforcement and judicial appointments in D.C.
Tlaib denounced the legislation, calling the administration’s takeover of the D.C. Metro Police Department “authoritarian” and insisting, “That’s not a bad word—it’s a fact.”
She argued that lawmakers were unfairly portraying the city.
“It is so incredibly important, Mr. Chair, that this committee does not allow rhetoric that defames or paints Washington, DC in a way that you all haven’t really truly seen. You’re just reading it,” Tlaib said.
Donalds attempted to interject during Tlaib’s remarks.
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“Will the gentlelady yield to a question?” he asked.
Tlaib refused, telling him, “No, I don’t yield, I don’t even have time.” Comer then informed her that her speaking time had expired.
Donalds responded forcefully, accusing Tlaib of going too far with her rhetoric.
“She’s going to refer to me and some of my colleagues like we were from the Third Reich, this is insane,” Donalds said.
“Do I look like a member of the Third Reich to you, Ms. Tlaib? Is that what you think? I think it’s radical and I think it’s insane and I respect everything that you say but that’s way out of line.”
As Comer banged his gavel in an attempt to restore order, Tlaib continued shouting, telling Donalds to “hold yourself accountable before you talk about Washington, DC.”
She then accused him of misusing his “voting card” and began chanting “Free DC!” across the chamber.
The confrontation capped a hearing that highlighted sharp divisions over new laws governing Washington, D.C. Among the bills under discussion was the D.C. Crimes Act, which passed the House by a 240–179 vote.
The legislation restricts the city’s ability to change sentencing laws and requires the D.C. attorney general to publish juvenile crime statistics.
Another bill, which passed 225–203, allows juveniles over the age of 14 to be tried as adults.
A separate measure approved by a 218–211 vote grants the president the authority to make judicial nominations in D.C.
Additionally, lawmakers passed a bill by a 245–182 margin permitting police to pursue suspects fleeing in vehicles, provided the chase does not present an unreasonable risk to public safety.
After the hearing, Donalds posted a statement condemning Tlaib’s remarks and tying them to the recent political climate.
“It’s been 8 days since a leftist assassin shot my friend Charlie Kirk. Just now, Rashida Tlaib just called us ‘FASCIST’ again. This rhetoric is WRONG. This rhetoric is UNHINGED. This rhetoric is OUT-OF-LINE. This rhetoric has INSPIRED MURDER. WE WILL NOT STAND TO BE DEFAMED,” Donalds wrote.
It’s been 8 days since a leftist assassin shot my friend @charliekirk11.
Just now, Rashida Tlaib just called us “FASCIST” again.
This rhetoric is WRONG.
This rhetoric is UNHINGED.
This rhetoric is OUT-OF-LINE.
This rhetoric has INSPIRED MURDER.WE WILL NOT STAND TO BE DEFAMED. pic.twitter.com/FDEJmSpoxe
— Congressman Byron Donalds (@RepDonaldsPress) September 18, 2025
The Trump administration’s decision to federalize law enforcement in D.C. was cited during the hearing as a response to violent crime in the city.
Federal agencies deployed officers across the capital, curfews were implemented, and officials reported a decline in crime rates as a result of the policy shift.
The administration and congressional Republicans have argued the measures are necessary to protect residents, pointing to public safety improvements for the city’s majority-black population.
The Oversight Committee is expected to continue examining the impact of the crime legislation and the federal role in D.C. governance as debates over local autonomy and public safety continue.
Rashida Tlaib had no point to make, so she called Republicans “FASCIST” again.
She used the exact same irresponsible rhetoric that inspired Tyler Robinson and was completely out-of-line.
Enough is enough.
We must set the record straight.
We must call them out EVERY SINGLE TIME. pic.twitter.com/d03yNaq9rW— Congressman Byron Donalds (@RepDonaldsPress) September 18, 2025
For years, the left has defamed us “FASCIST” & that exact rhetoric inspired Tyler Robinson to assassinate Charlie.
Today in @GOPoversight, Rashida Tlaib irresponsibly doubled-down.
We must call them out EVERY SINGLE TIME.
We must stand strong in our beliefs.
YOUR VOICE MATTERS. pic.twitter.com/OgMPESDWPE— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) September 19, 2025
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