Donald Trump's dream is coming true? USA to get 51st state next soon?

Washington D.C. is a bustling urban center with schools and businesses serving 700,000 residents -- but is also the seat of national power, home to the White House, Capitol and Supreme Court. The capital of the world's leading superpower is a city unlike any other in the United States -- not just in symbolism but in its legal and political structure. President Donald Trump's repeated threats to impose his will on the city has brought its unique status back into the spotlight. This dual identity often places local interests at odds with federal oversight, in a city where democracy is on display daily, even as the locals themselves lack full democratic rights.

Unlike the 50 states, the city operates under a unique relationship with the federal government that limits its autonomy and grants Congress extraordinary control over local matters. The overwhelmingly Democratic city faces complaints from Republican politicians that it is overrun by crime, plagued by homelessness and financially mismanaged.

As of the 2020 Census, Washington's population stood at 683,000, although it is now estimated at 702,000. A racially diverse melting pot, Washington is around 44 percent Black and 37 percent white, with Hispanic and Asian Americans making up much of the rest of the population, according to Census data.


Taxation

Washington, D.C is also one of the best educated and richest urban areas in the country, though stark income inequality persists between neighborhoods. The city was established by the constitution in 1790 as a federal district, not part of any state as the Founders wanted the capital to be independent of any single state's influence.

The land for the district was ceded by Maryland and Virginia, although the Virginia portion was returned in 1847. Because of its federal status, Washington is governed under the authority of Congress.

Residents pay federal taxes, but lack voting representation in the House and Senate -- earning the city the long-standing slogan seen on bumper stickers: "Taxation without representation."

Statehood for Washington, D.C?

In 1973, Congress passed the Home Rule Act, allowing residents to elect a mayor and a city council, although laws passed by the body are subject to congressional review and veto. Congress also controls the city's budget, which has led to political tensions when lawmakers have blocked local initiatives on marijuana legalization, reproductive rights and police funding.

Supporters of making the US capital the nation's 51st state have framed their cause as an effort to end a glaring American civil rights violation. Despite having no say in congressional votes, the city's residents fight and die in US wars and face a higher federal tax burden than people in the 50 states.

Statehood advocates argue that the residents -- who are more numerous than the populations of Vermont or Wyoming -- deserve full congressional representation and local autonomy.

In 2021, the House of Representatives passed a bill to make the District of Columbia the 51st state, but it stalled in the Senate. Opponents argue that the city was never intended to be a state and that making it one would require a constitutional amendment.

A constitutional amendment ratified in 1961 gave the city votes in the presidential electoral college.

FAQs

Q1. What is capital of USA?
A1. Capital of USA is Washington, D.C.

Q2. What is population of Washington, D.C?
A2. As of the 2020 Census, Washington's population stood at 683,000, although it is now estimated at 702,000. A racially diverse melting pot, Washington is around 44 percent Black and 37 percent white, with Hispanic and Asian Americans making up much of the rest of the population, according to Census data.