Norton Condemns Bill Giving Out-of-State Criminal Defendants in D.C. Right to Transfer Trials Outside D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today condemned a bill introduced by Louie Gohmert (R-TX) that would give non-District of Columbia residents who are charged with committing a crime in D.C. the right to choose to have their trial in their home state. This right would appear to apply to crimes under both D.C. and federal law, but the bill does not define the term "criminal offense in the District of Columbia."

"This bill is deeply insulting to the residents of the District of Columbia," Norton said. "It singles out D.C. juries and implies that D.C. juries are incapable of being impartial in cases where the defendant is not a D.C. resident. This bill is consistent with an offensive argument made by some opponents of D.C. statehood and home rule: D.C. residents are unworthy of or incapable of exercising the same democratic rights as other American citizens. D.C. is home to nearly 700,000 Americans from all walks of life who are denied basic democratic rights. D.C residents have all the obligations of citizenship and have fought and died in the armed services for this country. They deserve equal rights and respect. I will defeat this bill."

Norton noted that defendants in cases related to the January 6, 2021, insurrection have tried to get their trials moved outside D.C. Their requests have been denied by federal judges.

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