President Trump's 30-day takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department expires Wednesday night, closing one chapter of the crackdown.

Why it matters: Mayor Muriel Bowser is hoping it's a turning point, and that federal law enforcement's increased presence will also dial down in D.C.

State of play: Full local police power returns to MPD chief Pamela Smith tomorrow, after a month of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi overseeing the department and demanding that she dispatch officers to help federal agents.

• Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said Congress will not vote to extend the crime emergency that allowed the temporary federalization of MPD. Johnson cited cooperation between the White House and Bowser.
• Bowser's mayoral order last week calls for collaboration between the District and federal law enforcement agencies "to the maximum extent allowable by law." With that agreement in place, "I'm not sure Congress has any necessity to do anything," Johnson said on Monday.

Yes, but: Congress is coming for D.C.'s laws. Republicans will bring up over a dozen bills at a House Oversight Committee meeting on Wednesday morning. The proposals include:

• A "D.C. Safe and Beautiful Commission" that would focus on public safety and removing graffiti.
• Overturning a progressive reform that allows prisoners who committed crimes as juveniles to appeal for reduced sentences after serving at least 15 years.
• Lowering the age for juveniles to be allowed to be prosecuted as adults from 16 to 14.
• Replacing the city's elected attorney general with one appointed by the president.

The committee "stands ready to back the President's swift action by advancing comprehensive legislative reforms that empower District law enforcement and tackle the escalating juvenile crime crisis head-on," Republican Oversight Chair James Comer said in a statement.

What's ahead: If they pass out of committee, the bills will need full approval in the House and Senate.

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🗓️ Mark your calendar with our Event Board.

Colonial Market & Fair at George Washington's Mount Vernon Sept 13-14: Step back in time at Colonial Market & Fair, featuring food and wares made by colonial artisans. Hear live period music, play 18th-century games, and watch craftspeople perform demonstrations. $0-$28.

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

No phones, just fun: Cell-free bar and restaurant Hush Harbor opens Wednesday on H Street, Northeast.

Why it matters: Chef Rock Harper wants guests to stop doom-scrolling and savor a digital detox.

Driving the news: Harper is Food Network famous — a "Hell's Kitchen" winner — and his Queen Mother's fried chicken sandwiches are local Insta-bait.

• But recently, Harper found the joy of cell-free cooking. He immersed himself in a "Month Offline" course and hosted phone-free supper clubs.

What they're saying: "It's really nice to get away from it all," Harper, 58, tells Axios. "People think, 'How did they used to live?' We just lived!"

• He insists the concept isn't preachy: "We just want you to be present and serve you in a real way — a new sort of old-school service."

How it works: Guests "valet" their phones with a host. Each is locked in a pouch you carry with you, concert-style.

• Need access? A host unlocks it for use outside.
• Staff also go phone-free.

Zoom out: Younger generations are driving sales of "dumb phones" as the nostalgia for "pre-internet times" gains popularity.

• Many public school districts in the D.C. area also launched phone-free or restricted policies to improve learning and mental health.

Zoom in: Harper tells Axios that many of his employees are young and eager to spend time offline. Plus, there's plenty of analog fun.

• On sale: disposable cameras — guests can BYO, too — and letter writing packages.
• Book clubs, trivia and vinyl nights are in the works.

Must-try dishes

President Trump visited Joe's Seafood last night — the first D.C. restaurant he's visited over two terms as president beyond his now-closed hotel steakhouse.

• The visit was prompted by assertions that the city's restaurants are safer than ever during the federal crackdown. Protesters confronted Trump inside the restaurant, calling him "the Hitler of our time." (Washingtonian)

✔️ Maryland governor Wes Moore announced his reelection campaign for 2026, dampening rumors of a possible presidential run. (WUSA9)

🛑 Over 200 "No turn on red" signs are now posted at intersections throughout Montgomery County after a law banning the move took effect in July. There will be a $90 fee for drivers who disobey the signs. (NBC 4)

💲 7-Eleven will pay D.C. $1.2 million to resolve allegations that the company violated the city's ban on the sale of vapes and e-cigarettes within a quarter-mile of middle and high schools, per Attorney General Brian Schwalb.

Virginians grow a lot of pumpkins.

By the numbers: The Old Dominion produced 54.1 million pounds of pumpkins in 2024, according to USDA data.

• But VA isn't the pumpkin-growing king. That honor belongs to Illinois — aka "the orange belt" — which produced 485.1 million pounds of pumpkins in 2024.
• Indiana (about 159.8 million pounds), Pennsylvania (108.8 million), California (105.8 million) and Michigan (104.6 million) followed.

The bottom line: When you crack open that can of pumpkin filling this fall, it probably came the Prairie State — but it could be a Virginian gourd.

Axios Local — now 30+ cities strong nationwide — hit a home run at the company retreat at Nationals Park.