District of Columbia

The District of Columbia combines local self-government with distinctive federal oversight: it operates a mayor–council system and ordinary city agencies, but Congress retains review and veto authority that limits full state‑style autonomy.

How D.C. is organized

D.C. has three branches of government: an executive led by an elected Mayor, a 13‑member Council that includes ward and at‑large members, and a local judiciary; the Mayor manages city operations while the Council enacts laws and approves the budget.

Federal oversight and special powers

The District’s limited self‑rule is defined by the D.C. Home Rule Act, and its relationship with the national government affects many local decisions; Congress can review and overturn local laws and budgets. Federal authority also reaches law enforcement: readers can learn more about the history and mechanics of a federal takeover of D.C. police and the circumstances in which the President can assume control of D.C. police. For a broader view of how local and federal roles interact day‑to‑day, see the guide to D.C. and the federal government.