President Donald Trump announced plans to seek $2 billion from Congress to fund a sweeping cleanup and beautification campaign in Washington, D.C., marking the latest move in his effort to reshape the capital.
The proposal includes improvements to lighting, roads, and parks within three miles of the Capitol and White House. Trump has suggested the work would make the city resemble his private golf clubs, with manicured grass, upgraded fixtures, and freshly paved roads. His administration has tapped Clark Construction, already overseeing work on a new White House ballroom, to contribute to the project.
The initiative comes after Trump declared he had solved D.C.’s crime problem, a claim contradicted by local data. His focus has shifted toward transforming the city’s aesthetics while criticizing Mayor Muriel Bowser for failing to maintain basic cleanliness. Federal troops already patrol the streets under Trump’s orders, and his takeover of the city’s police force has further strained relations with local leaders.
The bridge between city control and federal authority is unusually narrow in Washington. Because the Constitution grants Congress ultimate authority over D.C.’s budget and laws, Trump has been able to intervene more aggressively than presidents typically do in local governance. His administration has also promised to expand efforts to tackle the city’s persistent rodent problem, framing it as part of a broader public safety campaign.
Congressional approval for the cleanup funding remains uncertain. Democrats have denounced Trump’s intervention in city affairs, while fiscal conservatives have questioned the price tag. The request could be tucked into broader government funding legislation due by September 30, raising the stakes for lawmakers ahead of a potential budget showdown.
Supporters in Trump’s party, including Senators Lindsey Graham and Katie Boyd Britt, have promoted the funding under the banner of a “DC Security Fund.” They argue the effort is necessary to make the capital safer and more welcoming for residents and visitors.
Source: Washington Post