Posted on 05/26/2026 8:01:18 AM PDT by DIRTYSECRET
In 1847, D.C. pressed for the abolition of slavery, Alexandria, was officially separated after President James K. Polk issued a PROCLAMATION and the Virginia LEGISLATURE accepted.
Virginians were afraid that "slaves" would walk across the boundary into the District and become free.
With the Potomac River parting Virginia from the District, slaves would be unable to gain their freedom. As a result slavery EXPANDED in Virginia even after DC abolished it.
President Trump should consider issuing an executive order directing the DOJ to EXPLORE the CONSTITUTIONALITY of the 1847 retrocession.
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Make DC square again!
Let’s get back to SMALL GOV’T and BIG FREEDOM!!!
Former Alexandrian here. A stupid idea, is what it is.
Could this action turn Virginia red or purple? Think of all the out-of-work federales moving out. They fight for statehood(power)-unconstitutional. We fight for freedom. Find out how the 2 are incompatable.
Wrong. Even if it only ruffles the feathers of the losers. Take away their power legally. That would be fun to watch. Give them more reason to riot.
Just remember the river would not allow slaves to escape to freedom(DC) as they can’t swim.
Just remember If Alexandria voters lose their right to a congressman it’s because they were never entitled to one. Do it Don.
Wrong
DC should include Arlington, Alexandria and Loudon Counties.
Carve Occupied Northern Virginia out and Virginia is a red state again.
In 1847, D.C. pressed for the abolition of slavery...
Slavery ownership was ok but trading was not. Compromise of 1850.
complete the cycle - make Northern Viriginians slaves of DC again!
I wouldn’t mind seeing it, but it’s not practical, imo.
I agree it’s not practical - but the retrocession of 1846 may have been unconstitutional, that’s worth looking into.
Slavery ownership was ok but trading was not.
I graduated from high school in Alexandria. In Virginia, every student had to take the American Government course.
In that class we discussed the constitutionality of the separation. We agreed that it didn’t pass muster.
That area of Virginia is blue-correct? I want to be the one to tell them their vote doesn’t count anymore, would you? Call them racists while at it. The argument is power vs. slavery. They had both and it got us 700k dead.
Very good.
The problem with this idea is that a good portion of Arlington and Alexandria will become part of DC. These areas are Federal Govt workers, lawyers, NGO workers who have a lot of money and power. The first thing they would do is insist on representation in Congress (as they are currently represented in VA). IMO, this would lead to major pressure to give statehood to DC or, at the very least, more representation in Congress like Eleanor Holmes Birton. But I suspect, given the demographics, that DC would become a state pretty quickly.
Be careful what you wish for.
“When slavery in the District was abolished, the owners were compensated ...”
This is the approach that Great Britain took. If the U.S. had done the same, it might have been cheaper than fighting a bloody Civil War.
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