D.C. Attorney General Challenges Trump’s Takeover of Local Police
- The New York Editorial Desk - Arif
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Tone & Political Bias: Strongly Left-Leaning
Why: The article emphasizes opposition voices, highlights legal and safety concerns raised by D.C. officials, and frames Trump’s actions as overreach, with little supportive perspective from his administration.
Lawsuit Filed Against Federal Control of MPD
District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a federal lawsuit on Friday opposing the Trump administration’s takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).The legal action challenges both President Trump’s Monday order and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Thursday directive placing the MPD under federal control.
Schwalb’s office argues the orders exceed the limited, temporary authority granted under the Home Rule Act. The suit seeks a temporary restraining order to block federal control, citing potential “devastating and irreparable harms” to D.C.’s autonomy and public safety.
Federal Appointment of Emergency Police Commissioner
On Thursday, Bondi appointed Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Terry Cole as “emergency police commissioner” of MPD. This move places Cole above Police Chief Pamela Smith, requiring her to obtain his approval before issuing directives. According to the lawsuit, this change would dismantle the MPD’s command structure and disrupt operations for more than 3,100 officers, risking public and officer safety.
D.C. Officials Warn of Public Safety Risks
Chief Pamela Smith, in a sworn declaration, called the order the “greatest threat to law and order” she has witnessed. She said imposing a new command structure “effective immediately” would create confusion in the paramilitary organization, where clarity of leadership is critical.
Schwalb stated that the administration’s actions “abuse” its emergency powers, infringe on D.C.’s right to self-governance, and represent “the gravest threat to Home Rule” in the city’s history.
Legal Arguments and Home Rule Act Limits
The Home Rule Act permits the President to federalize D.C.’s police for up to 30 days during emergencies, unless extended by Congress. Schwalb argues that the law does not authorize replacing the police chief or altering the department’s leadership. Trump has indicated he will ask Congress for a long-term extension, which would require bipartisan support.
Mayor Bowser’s Position
Mayor Muriel Bowser initially complied with Trump’s earlier order but has rejected Bondi’s directive. She emphasized that federal law only allows the President to request MPD services for federal purposes—not to transfer personnel authority to a federal official.
Bowser also disputed Trump’s justification for the takeover, citing crime statistics showing violent crime in D.C. dropped 35% in 2024 to its lowest level in more than 30 years.
Trump Administration’s Justification
In announcing the takeover, Trump cited high-profile violent incidents and argued that decisive federal intervention was needed to restore safety. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the move as the “first step in stopping the violent crime” in the capital.
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