Well, it's not this administration that counts, but rather the DC govt. and local politicians who can bring pressure if pressure is needed. SS and AS were frequent high-dollar contributors for local races and some MD federal races, as well as hosting political fundraisers in their home. Add to that the fact that, in their zipcode of 20008, there are very few violent crimes committed(except for domestic violence). Lots of pressure on elected members of the DC govt to elevate this to fed level.
My experience has been that the USAO is impervious to pressure from the city and local politicians. If anything, the USAO pressures and unduly influences the city council all the time. Why do you think we no longer have jury trials for misdemeanors in the city? It's a rare day the city council stands up to the USAO when it wants to introduce or amend criminal related legislation.
Though there are almost always hooks to get something into federal court, I would be very surprised if that happens given what we know so far. On a political level, in essence, it would be seen as the feds taking over the case - yes, even with the same prosecutors and same police and the rest. And for what? I don't think the death penalty will ever be imposed by a DC jury - even more doubtful in a case where they took it out of the hands of the District so to speak. The District is on record via a referendum in opposition to the death penalty. And why in this case? There have been many horrific murders in the District - even murders involving young victims. As awful as it was and as sad as it is, this is not unique.
Seeking the death penalty is a very long and arduous process with both sides having to extensively prepare and argue pretrial before 2 death committees (at USAO and at DOJ) and then there may be a final decision against filing death papers. Further, defense attorneys must be death qualified and, in any event, the Federal Public Defender would have to take over the defense. Impaneling a death qualified jury is another long and arduous process.
DC really has sufficient penalties to assure, if convicted, DW will never be released.
Despite my opposition to the DP and having said all the above, my initial reaction was that this is exactly the kind of murder the death penalty was rightfully meant for - money motivated. Not because of the victims but because those motivated by money with thought-out plans may think twice if they weigh in the balance they may face fatal consequences. But as those here have noted, and I agree, I doubt DW, if he's guilty, ever thought he'd get caught and maybe never planned murder. That's always the theoretical argument against the DP, it doesn't really do what people want it to do - deter the worst crimes. And it doesn't deter the kind of criminals you want it to deter. DW is a perfect example if he did this.
In the end, if the USAO wants to move it to federal court it will and we will probably never know the reasons why.