Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful

March 28, 2025

Executive Orders

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Action Summary

Overall Purpose: Ensure Washington, D.C. serves as a safe, clean, and beautiful capital that reflects American heritage and promotes pride among residents, commuters, and tourists.
Policy Objectives: Enhance public safety through crime prevention and strict law enforcement while also advancing beautification efforts on Federal and local facilities, roads, parks, and monuments.
Establishment of Task Force:
D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force created to coordinate with local and federal agencies:
- Chaired by the Assistant to the President and Homeland Security Advisor (or designee).
- Members include representatives from the Departments of Interior, Transportation, Homeland Security, FBI, U.S. Marshals, ATF, and U.S. Attorney offices for D.C., Maryland, and Eastern Virginia.
Law Enforcement & Operational Coordination:
- Coordinate with local police, transit authorities, and additional federal agencies for enhanced enforcement.
- Key tasks include enforcing Federal immigration law, monitoring sanctuary policies, supporting forensic lab accreditation, and addressing crime on transit systems.
- Additional measures include review of prosecutorial policies and deployment of robust law enforcement near key landmarks and public spaces.
Beautification Initiatives:
- Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with various officials, to develop a program for beautification and public space maintenance.
- Includes a coordinated plan for restoring monuments, removing graffiti, improving Federal building aesthetics, and inviting private-sector participation.
- Immediate directive to the National Park Service for cleanup of homeless encampments and graffiti on Federal lands.
General Provisions:
- Ensures that the order does not impair existing legal authorities or budgetary roles of executive agencies.
- Implementation is subject to applicable law and the availability of appropriations, without conferring enforceable rights.

Risks & Considerations

The Executive Order focuses on enhancing safety and beautification in Washington, D.C., which may not directly impact Vanderbilt University. However, the emphasis on federal coordination and law enforcement could set a precedent for similar actions in other cities, potentially affecting areas where Vanderbilt has interests or partnerships.
The order’s focus on immigration enforcement and sanctuary city status could indirectly impact Vanderbilt’s international students and faculty, particularly if similar policies are adopted in other regions.
Increased federal law enforcement presence and coordination with local authorities could lead to heightened scrutiny of institutions, including universities, regarding compliance with federal laws and regulations.
The emphasis on public safety and beautification may influence federal funding priorities, potentially affecting grants and resources available for urban development and public safety research, areas where Vanderbilt may have academic or research interests.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s Law School may find opportunities to engage in research and policy analysis related to federal and local law enforcement coordination, immigration law, and public safety policies.
The Department of Political Science could explore the implications of federal executive orders on local governance and urban policy, providing insights into the balance of power between federal and local authorities.
Vanderbilt’s Urban Studies Program might consider examining the impact of beautification and public safety initiatives on urban development and community engagement.

Financial Impact

While the Executive Order primarily targets Washington, D.C., any shifts in federal funding priorities towards public safety and beautification could influence the availability of grants and resources for related research and initiatives at Vanderbilt.
Potential changes in immigration enforcement policies could affect the university’s international student recruitment and retention strategies, with financial implications for tuition revenue and support services.

Relevance Score: 2 (The order presents minor considerations for the university to address, primarily in terms of potential indirect impacts on research and policy analysis opportunities.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Department of Political Science should analyze the implications of increased federal law enforcement presence and policy changes in Washington, D.C., to understand potential impacts on civil liberties and public policy. This research can provide insights into broader national trends and inform Vanderbilt’s academic discourse and public policy recommendations.
The Office of Federal Relations should monitor developments related to federal immigration law enforcement and sanctuary city policies, as these could have implications for Vanderbilt’s international students and faculty. Proactively engaging with policymakers can help ensure that the university’s interests are considered in any legislative or regulatory changes.
Vanderbilt’s Law School could explore opportunities to contribute to legal discussions and advocacy related to the executive order’s impact on public safety and beautification efforts. By hosting forums or publishing research, the Law School can position itself as a thought leader in legal and policy debates surrounding urban governance and federal intervention.
The Department of Sociology should consider conducting studies on the social and community impacts of the executive order’s initiatives in Washington, D.C. This research can provide valuable insights into the effects of federal policies on urban communities and contribute to broader sociological understanding.

Opportunities

The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Center for Urban Studies to engage in research and policy analysis on urban beautification and safety initiatives. By examining the effectiveness of these efforts in Washington, D.C., the center can contribute to best practices and policy recommendations for other cities.
Vanderbilt can leverage its expertise in public policy and urban planning to collaborate with federal and local agencies on projects related to urban beautification and safety. This could include joint research initiatives, consulting services, or educational programs that enhance Vanderbilt’s reputation and influence in urban policy.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order requires some adjustments to processes or procedures, particularly in research and policy analysis related to urban governance and federal intervention.)

Average Relevance Score: 4

Timeline for Implementation

Immediate directive: The order requires that the Secretary of the Interior “immediately issue a directive” to the National Park Service to remove and clean up homeless or vagrant encampments and graffiti on Federal land. There is no additional deadline provided in the text, so “immediate” is taken as an urgent implementation requirement.

Relevance Score: 5

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of the Interior: Tasked with coordinating beautification programs and public space safety through directive to the National Park Service for cleanup on Federal lands.
Department of Transportation: Involved in the Task Force and in formulating plans to improve and maintain public transit and roadway aesthetics and safety.
Department of Homeland Security: Plays a critical role in the Task Force coordinating federal law enforcement and safety measures in the District.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Participates in the Task Force aimed at enhancing public safety and addressing criminal activity.
United States Marshals Service: Contributes to enforcing security and safety measures as part of the Task Force’s crime-fighting efforts.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF): Included in the Task Force to assist with federal enforcement in the District.
United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia: Engaged in legal actions and federal prosecutorial policies to safeguard public spaces.
United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland: Represented on the Task Force to coordinate federal law enforcement across regional jurisdictions.
United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia: Participates in the Task Force, reinforcing regional legal efforts in the metropolitan area.
Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia: May provide local operational support and coordination with the Task Force for enhanced public safety.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority: Collaborates with the Task Force to address public transit safety and fare evasion issues.
United States Park Police: Called upon for operational assistance in enforcing safety on Federal lands and public spaces.
Amtrak Police: Noted as a partner in ensuring security within the transportation network in coordination with Task Force efforts.
Department of Justice (Attorney General): Responsible for assessing and coordinating additional federal legal actions and prosecutorial policies as needed.
Administrator of General Services: Tasked with ensuring that Federal facility standards contribute to a safe and beautiful environment.
National Capital Planning Commission: Provides planning and oversight support for beautification and maintenance of national monuments and public spaces.
National Park Service: Directed to promptly remove graffiti and clear homeless encampments from Federal lands, under its jurisdiction in the District.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Its Director’s functions are noted to remain unaffected, ensuring that budgetary and administrative operations continue uninhibited.

Relevance Score: 5 (A directive impacting a broad range of 18 distinct federal and associated local agencies across the government.)

Responsible Officials

Assistant to the President and Homeland Security Advisor (or designee) – Chairs the newly established D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, responsible for coordinating with numerous federal and local agencies.
Representatives from the Department of the Interior, Department of Transportation, Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshals Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the District of Columbia, Maryland, and the Eastern District of Virginia – Tasked with participating in the Task Force to align joint priorities, share resources, and execute specific law enforcement and public safety initiatives in and around Washington, D.C.
Secretary of the Interior – In consultation with the Attorney General, Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Administrator of General Services, National Capital Planning Commission, and other appropriate officials, is responsible for developing and implementing the program to beautify, secure, and promote prosperity in the District of Columbia.
National Park Service – Directed by the Secretary of the Interior to promptly remove and clean up homeless or vagrant encampments and graffiti on Federal land within the District of Columbia.
Other Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement Entities – Including the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, United States Park Police, Amtrak Police, and additional designated agencies to provide operational assistance and enhance public safety enforcement as required.

Relevance Score: 5 (This directive directly impacts White House-appointed officials, cabinet-level officers, and agency heads responsible for broad national security, law enforcement, and beautification efforts.)