Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) announced she will not seek re-election in 2026, ending a decade in office. Conservative social media erupted in celebration, crediting President Trump’s 2025 deployment of National Guard troops and federal law enforcement for exposing her “soft-on-crime” policies and forcing her exit.
For reference, shortly before Bowser announced that she would be leaving the DC Mayoral position behind rather than try to fight to hold onto it for another term, two of the National Guard troopers President Trump had to deploy to the city were shot in the head by a seeming Islamist radical. One has died and the other is just barely starting to recover. Many on the right see Bowser as a disgrace, as it was her soft-on-crime policies that made those guardsmen necessary, and her city in which they were so horribly attacked.
In any case, commenters responded to Bowser’s statement announcing her retirement by calling it “good riddance,” accusing her of corruption, and demanding a law-and-order successor. In her farewell statement, Bowser called serving “the honor of my life,” thanked staff, but took a parting shot at Trump and federal intervention, labeling them “bullies who threatened our autonomy” while defending Home Rule as her “north star.”
Reacting to the news on social media, one popular conservative account wrote,” 🚨 BREAKING: Democrat DC Mayor Muriel Bowser will NOT SEEK REELECTION next year, per WaPo. President Trump CLEANED UP her mess by deploying the troops and immediately exposed her soft-on-crime failure. Now she’s fleeing office. GOOD RIDDANCE! The next mayor better get with the new program.”
In the comments under this post, conservatives celebrated the news. “Bowser’s decision not to run again is no surprise. Her soft-on-crime policies failed DC hard. Trump had to clean up the mess, and now she’s retreating. Let’s hope the next mayor actually gets it right. Accountability matters,” one comment noted.
Similarly enthused, another added, “Down with DEI Mayors and all elected officials! Next mayor better believe in enforcement of the law and backing the Blue!” Agreeing, a conservative said, “She is being investigated for corruption. What a shocker…Democrats are nothing but a mafia cartel.”
Bowser, who has faced criticism for her inept responses to crime, the pandemic, and a terrorist attack that resulted in two national guardsmen being shot, issued a self-centered statement on her decision to retire. “It has been the honor of my life to be your mayor,” Bowser claimed. “When you placed your trust in me ten years ago, you gave me an extraordinary opportunity to have a positive impact on my hometown. Every day since, I’ve cherished that opportunity, and have happily given all of my passion and energy to a job I love.”
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Even in her final statement, Bowers took a cheap shot at President Donald Trump’s efforts to clean up the streets in the nation’s capital, referring to him and the officials and troops sent in to help deal with crime as “bullies who threatened our very autonomy, while preserving Home Rule.” She then touted her opposition to the efforts as her administration’s “north star.”
Watch a clip of Boswer here:
“Throughout this remarkable journey, I’ve been honored to serve with countless dedicated city executives and extraordinary front-line workers, the incredible people who keep Washington, DC thriving every day. For their bold vision, big ideas, personal sacrifices, and relentless pursuit of excellence in service to this great city, I am deeply grateful,” the statement concluded.
However, the citizens of DC viewed her tenure much more negatively. “Mayor Bowser covered up criminal conduct in DC Government committed by her corrupt friends @dcbega and @OIGDC #BowserAct an executive @councilofdc contacted @USAO_DC to report perjury of DC Inspector General Daniel Lucas. @MurielBowser is going down,” one comment noted.
Featured image from embedded video