Concerning D.C. Statehood, the Founders Have Already Spoken

By DAVID HARSANYI

The Founders unambiguously intended otherwise, as evidenced in both their writing and in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution.

There are numerous principled reasons to oppose D.C. statehood. But, really, no arguments are more applicable than the ones offered by the Founders, who created a federal district for the distinct purpose of denying it statehood. First, because they were concerned about the seat of federal power being controlled by a hostile or intrusive state government. Second, because they knew that if the capital were in a state — much less its own state — the people would vote to grow and accumulate federal power. Both situations were incompatible with the proper separation of powers and state rights.
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