October 19, 2025

Dear Washington Post Editor,
Reporters Meagan Flynn and Emma Uber,

“Civility Must Not Be the First Casualty of D.C. Politics”
As a native Washingtonian and a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Mayor of the District of Columbia, I appreciate the thorough coverage of the challenging discussion around federal–local law-enforcement coordination at the recent meeting at the Lamond Riggs Library. The Washington Post Healthy debate around policy and strategy is integral to our democracy, especially here in the Nation’s Capital, where the intersection of local, federal and community interests is always at play.
However, I must draw a firm line when disagreement devolves into personal attack. During that meeting, Mayor Muriel Bowser was interrupted with shouts of “traitor” and accused of “selling Home Rule down the river.”  At one point a protester publicly called her a “liar.” These moments cross beyond policy critique and into the realm of disrespect and demoralization. As someone who has followed this city’s civic life for decades, and as someone who intends to lead it, I can tell you: most native Washingtonians will not stand idly by while a Black woman with a lifetime of public service is dismissed in such a callous manner.
Let’s be clear on a few key points of policy, process and principle:
1. Public safety and law-enforcement coordination
There are some 250 law-enforcement agencies operating here in the District—from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to the many federal agencies. The fundamental job of any mayor is to keep residents, visitors, local and federal officials safe. If I am fortunate enough to win the June 2026 primary and ultimately serve as mayor, I intend to work diligently with each of those agencies—with clarity, accountability and strong community trust—to fulfill that mission.
2. Home Rule and political accountability
The Nation’s Capital is unique: we live under home-rule limitations, federal oversight and local aspirations all at once. When local residents raise concerns—rightly—about law-enforcement practices, immigration enforcement, community safety and trust, those concerns must be heard. But the infrastructure of criticism must remain respectful and grounded in fact. Shouting “traitor” solves nothing and threatens to fracture the civic trust that our city so desperately needs.
3. Context matters—and so do priorities
For those who look to national comparisons—say, to a mayor in another city for whom “Sanctuary City” is part of their solution—I would encourage you to look at the results. If we’re serious about addressing the skyrocketing cost of living, housing waiting-lists that have lingered for decades, veterans and citizens sleeping on the street, we cannot afford performance theater. Where was the same level of outrage when 100,000 Black residents languished on housing waiting lists for years?
4. Policy over posturing
I do not support a blanket “Sanctuary City” approach as a social or economic policy. I believe in a city that is safe, welcoming and resilient—but also fiscally disciplined and responsive to the most vulnerable among us. Making sure those who guard our streets preserve the public’s trust, making sure our enforcement priorities are clear, and making sure our housing policies deliver for residents: those must be our focus.
5. Respect the individual—not just the office
Mayor Bowser is the target of many legitimate policy critiques—and she should be. But she is also a public servant whose life has been devoted to the city. Disrespect of the sort witnessed at that meeting contributes nothing to progress. As mayoral candidate, I pledge to elevate the level of our civic discourse rather than sink it.
Thank you for the opportunity to respond. I look forward to working with all Washingtonians to build a safer, fairer, more responsive District.

Sincerely,
Ernest E. Johnson, Chairman/CEO

Friends of the Frank Reeves Center.com

Candidate for Mayor, District of Columbia/www.ernestformayor2026.com