Trump administration faced legal action by Washington over alleged power seizure. - Federal authorities file lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging a blatant seizure of power
On August 15, 2025, the Attorney General of Washington, D.C., Brian Schwalb, filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration, alleging a "hostile takeover" of the city's Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). This action followed President Trump's decision to place the MPD under federal control and deploy 800 National Guard troops to the city to address violent crime.
The lawsuit, filed in a federal court, argues that the federal government's actions exceeded its limited authority under the Home Rule Act, which governs D.C.'s self-governance. The Attorney General claims this federal control infringes on the dignity and autonomy of D.C.’s 700,000 residents and puts their safety at risk.
The lawsuit asserts that the federal government unlawfully seized operational control of MPD by assuming positions in the chain of command and issuing policy directives. Notably, Attorney General Bondi made the head of the DEA, Terry Cole, the temporary "emergency police chief" of Washington on Thursday evening.
The legal implication of this case centres on the limits of federal authority in the governance of D.C., a federal district with self-rule rights. The controversy raises constitutional questions about federalism, home rule, and civil liberties within the nation's capital.
The justification given by Trump for this action was to fight high crime in Washington. However, critics accuse him of right-wing demagoguery in his claims about crime in Washington, a stronghold of the Democratic Party. It is worth noting that crime rates in Washington have decreased significantly after an initial spike during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The lawsuit seeks an injunction to reverse the order by US Attorney General Pam Bondi that puts the police of Washington under federal control. A federal judge has pressured both sides toward a compromise, leading the Trump administration to relent, allowing MPD Chief Pamela Smith to remain in command of the police officers and preventing Terry Cole from issuing directives for the time being.
This legal battle adds to the political tension surrounding the Trump Administration's actions, sparking public protests and political backlash. It remains to be seen how this case will unfold and what implications it may have for the future of policing in Washington, D.C.
[1] "Trump Administration Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Takeover of Washington D.C. Police Force", The Washington Post, 15th August 2025. [2] "Trump's Power Grab of Washington D.C. Police Sparks Legal Battle and Public Outcry", The New York Times, 16th August 2025. [3] "D.C. Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Trump Administration Over Police Takeover", NPR, 15th August 2025.
- In the midst of a heated legal battle, President Donald Trump's administration is accused of exercising unlawful control over the Washington D.C. police force, a move that has been portrayed in general news and political discourse as a "hostile takeover."
- The Trump government's policy-and-legislation action, aimed at addressing war-and-conflicts through a tough stance on crime, is now entangled in a complex court case over the limits of federal authority, challenging the home rule rights of Washington D.C. and raising questions about federalism and civil liberties within the nation's capital.
