LOVERRO: Trump budget amputations raise concerns about new Commanders stadium at RFK

OPINION:

Could the Trump tsunami that has swept over Washington wreck plans for a new home for the Commanders on the RFK stadium site?

There are concerns behind the scenes that the District could be caught up in the dramatic changes and upheaval President Trump has brought forth in his short time in office — which could delay plans for the stadium or perhaps bury them all together.

The president is in a conquering mood — Canada, Greenland, Panama — and one day could simply look out the window of the White House and say, “Hey, how about the city?”

It would be a much easier conquest. After all, the buildings and agencies of the federal government that fill the city are already under the jurisdiction of the president and Congress. The rest of the District has limited autonomy.

With both the House and Senate under Republican control — Trump control — taking over the District could be as easy as a vote and the swipe of a pen.

Earlier this month, a bill was introduced in Congress by Republican legislators — Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles and Utah Sen. Mike Lee — to put full control of the city under congressional authority.

It’s called the “Bringing Oversight to Washington and Safety to Every Resident Act,” which, if you aren’t paying attention, spells out “Bowser” — an obvious shot at District Mayor Muriel Bowser.

“The radically progressive regime of D.C. Mayor Bowser has left our nation’s Capital in crime-ridden shambles, Ogles said in a statement. “Washington is now known for its homicides, rapes, drug overdoses, violence, theft, and homelessness. Bowser and her corrupt Washington City Council are incapable of managing the city. As such, it seems appropriate for Congress to reclaim its Constitutional authority and restore the nation’s Capital.”

Normally, it would be important to note here that total violent crime is actually down in the city — 35% from 2023 and the lowest it has been in over 30 years, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.

That drop was detailed in an announcement made last month by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves.

But facts appear to have been crushed into dust as this political tsunami overwhelms the nation’s capital.

There is blood in the water, and the sharks are pouncing.

It is noteworthy that Lee is co-sponsoring the legislation. He had been an opponent of the transfer of the RFK site from the federal government to the District, and drafted an amendment that would require the District to pay fair market value for the land if it’s used for a sports team.

But he agreed not to block the transfer in return for the District promising to spend the value of the land RFK stadium sits on for improvements to parks in the city.

That was before the Trump tsunami struck. Lee appears to be moving forward with his “Bowser” bill to have a federal takeover of the city.

This type of legislation has been floated before by Republicans, only to fail. But history means little at this moment. We are seeing politics like we have never seen in our lifetime. This time the bill, if it moves forward, would face both a House and Senate under Republican control

What may be more worrisome for District officials is the possible revival of the dormant Control Board.

According to the dc.gov chief financial officer’s website, in 1995, President Bill Clinton signed the law creating a presidentially appointed District of Columbia Financial Control Board. The Control Board was a five-member body established by Congress to oversee the finances of the District. The board had the power to override decisions by the mayor and the city council.

The board was discontinued on Sept. 30, 2001, following four consecutive years of balanced budgets and clean audits, according to dc.gov.

But it would be relatively easy for the Republican Congress to revive it, which means interference in District business — like plans to build a stadium using city funds. At a public forum about stadium plans last week, Bowser was asked if she would pledge not to spend public money on the new stadium. She responded, “No.” It is believed the city may have to commit up to $1 billion for the proposed stadium, which could cost as much as $2.5 billion.

Bowser may be up to the task of navigating the numerous political minefields facing the stadium.

After Monumental Sports owner Transparent Ted Leonsis threatened to move his NBA and NHL teams to Potomac Yards in Northern Virginia, Bowser was able to reach a $500 million deal with Leonsis to stay in the city and renovate the existing Capital One Arena.

She seems to have built up a relationship with Congressional Oversight and Reform Committee Chairman James Comer, who helped push through the House the RFK stadium land transfer bill.

She met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in December and issued a statement calling it a “great meeting … we discussed areas for collaboration between local and federal government, especially around our federal workforce, underutilized federal buildings, parks and green spaces and infrastructure.”

There was no response reported from Trump.

Trump is a well-known football fan and may welcome a stadium in the city.

And Commanders owner Josh Harris has a relationship with Trump. He has been a financial donor, and, according to The New York Times, made regular visits in 2017 to the White House to advise administration officials on infrastructure policy.

But Trump is such a wild card, no one can predict how he would act if one day he wakes up and there is a new District football stadium decision on his desk to be made.

• You can hear Thom Loverro on “The Kevin Sheehan Show” podcast.