Is the 2nd flight a mainline jet, an Republic E175 or a regional jet. 39 minutes is tight but pretty doable if all mainline or a Republic E175. A little more scary if you have to wonder down to E for a regional jet flight. Don't use FlightRadar as much as looking at the past history of this flight. AA builds a lot of buffer into their timetables now so you will likely arrive early.

I personally would take the longer layover in DCA, easier connections and they have a new regional jet terminal.