Officials in Washington, DC started the process of removing the “Black Lives Matter” mural from 16th Street NE on Monday, marking a significant moment for Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA). This street, part of what was renamed Black Lives Plaza by Mayor Muriel Bowser in 2020 amidst the George Floyd protests, has been at the center of political controversy.

Rep. Clyde, who has been vocal about his opposition to the mural, reintroduced a bill on March 3 to erase the message and revert the plaza’s name, located just a block from the White House. This move was reported exclusively by Breitbart News. The day after Clyde’s bill was reintroduced, Mayor Bowser announced plans to replace the mural with other artworks.

“It wouldn’t have happened without the pressure,” Clyde told Breitbart News in an exclusive interview. He emphasized the need for a more unified message from the government, critiquing the mural for being divisive. “The golden era of America is not divisive in nature,” he added.

Despite DC’s limited autonomy under the Home Rule Act of 1973, Congress retains the power to review and overturn local laws. This authority has been a point of contention, especially as former President Trump advocated for more federal control over DC in response to increasing crime and homelessness, which he attributed to local government’s focus on progressive policies.

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Clyde has been critical of DC’s local governance, labeling the home rule a “45-year experiment” and a “failure.” He linked the push against the city’s political stance to broader national rejection of progressive ideologies in recent elections. “It was 100 percent a message from the American people on wokeness, on DEI, on critical race theory, all of that rejected by the American people,” he explained.

In previous legislative sessions, Clyde introduced bills aimed at curtailing DC’s autonomy, including a bipartisan effort to repeal a local law that reduced criminal penalties, which was signed into law by President Joe Biden. “The Constitution gives Congress complete legislative authority over the city,” Clyde stated, underscoring the federal government’s role in overseeing the capital.

Mayor Bowser’s decision to modify Black Lives Matter Plaza was seen as an acknowledgment of congressional authority, a move that Clyde believes was prompted by his legislation. “I greatly appreciate the mayor recognizing the authority of Congress and recognizing that we fund the city of Washington, DC,” he said.

Clyde emphasized that improving DC’s governance is a bipartisan issue, with goals of enhancing safety and prosperity for the city. He views the recent legislative actions as symbolic yet crucial steps towards restoring the capital as a “beacon on the hill.”

With ongoing issues like rampant crime and what he describes as a “radical city council,” Clyde hinted at further congressional actions to address the governance of DC. “Stand by,” he teased, indicating more developments are on the horizon.