Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has levelled a stunning accusation against former President Donald Trump, claiming he and his administration attempted an unprecedented end-run around her office to mobilise the National Guard in the days preceding the January 6th Capitol certification.
In a revealing new account, Mayor Bowser detailed how the then-Attorney General, a Trump appointee, made a direct approach to the Commanding General of the DC National Guard. This move deliberately bypassed the Mayor's established authority as the city's chief executive.
A Breach of Protocol and Power
The established protocol for deploying the DC National Guard is clear: the President federalises the force, but the command and control rests solely with the DC Mayor. Bowser's allegations suggest a brazen attempt to shatter this long-standing chain of command, potentially to deploy troops for purposes she would not authorise.
This revelation paints a darker picture of the Trump administration's actions in the frantic lead-up to the certification of the 2020 election results. It suggests a coordinated effort to secure a military presence in the nation's capital without the oversight or approval of its local elected leader.
The Implications for Democracy
The attempted manoeuvre raises profound questions about the rule of law and the separation of powers. By seeking to sideline Mayor Bowser, the administration appeared to be laying the groundwork for a military response that answered directly to the White House, a scenario with deeply troubling historical echoes.
Bowser's decision to publicly disclose this alleged attempt underscores the severity of the breach. It adds a critical new layer to the ongoing investigation into the events of January 6th, highlighting the lengths to which some were allegedly willing to go to disrupt the democratic process.
