As she enters her final year as mayor of Washington, D.C., Muriel Bowser is reflecting on what she calls a consequential 2025, while pushing back against criticism from the White House and Republicans in Congress during the first year of President Donald Trump’s second administration.
In an interview with WTOP, Bowser acknowledged the political headwinds facing the District, particularly around public safety, but emphasized what she described as major accomplishments delivered by her administration. Those include the opening of a full-service hospital east of the Anacostia River and securing 180 acres of land from the federal government to support future development projects involving a stadium, housing, parks, and recreation.
“We also just had a heck of a year in terms of addressing outside challenges,” Bowser said. “We delivered big for the city in the things that we promised.”
Public safety has remained a flashpoint. Republicans in Congress and officials in the Trump administration have criticized the city’s crime response and questioned the reliability of its crime data. The Republican-led House Oversight Committee recently released a report alleging that crime statistics were manipulated to present the city as safer than it is, a move that coincided with the announcement of D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith’s retirement. Federal officials also deployed National Guard members to the city, further escalating tensions.
Bowser rejected those claims, defending Smith’s leadership and noting that crime concerns in the District are longstanding. She said the city has seen a “precipitous drop in crime” over the past two years after Smith was recruited to reevaluate policing strategies.
With the D.C. Inspector General now reviewing crime data following inquiries by the House Oversight Committee and the Department of Justice, Bowser urged patience and objectivity. She argued that politically motivated reports should be weighed alongside independent audits and the views of Democrats involved in oversight efforts.
Looking ahead, Bowser, who is not seeking reelection when her term ends in January 2027, said voters will demand experience and practical solutions from the next mayor, particularly on economic growth, job retention, education, and governance.
As for her own future, Bowser made one thing clear: she is not stepping away from public life. “I’m not retiring,” she said. “I like to work. I like to get things done.”
Bowser added that she remains proud of the city and grateful to residents for trusting her leadership for more than a decade, pledging to stay fully engaged through her final months in office.
