Lawsuit in DC aimed at limiting Trump's control over local police forces
In a significant legal move, Washington D.C.'s Attorney General Brian Schwalb has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging the federal government's attempt to take control of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The lawsuit, filed around August 15, 2025, targets President Trump's appointment of DEA Administrator Terry Cole as "emergency police commissioner" of the MPD and his broader move to assert unprecedented federal control over the D.C. police force.
The lawsuit asserts that Trump’s actions infringe on D.C.'s right to self-governance and endanger the safety of residents and visitors. The Home Rule Act ensures that even when MPD services are requested federally, the Mayor and Chief maintain control, and the president must request these services through the Mayor.
This lawsuit comes after Trump invoked Section 740 of the Home Rule Act of 1973, which allows the president to request MPD assistance for federal purposes during emergencies. However, the section limits such federal control to no more than 30 days and requires operational control to remain with the D.C. Mayor and Chief of Police.
Trump’s actions included federalizing the police department and trying to replace the MPD police chief with Cole, effectively attempting a "hostile takeover" of MPD operations. Attorney General Schwalb described these moves as "brazenly unlawful" and beyond the president’s authority under the Home Rule Act.
Prior to this, Section 740 had never been invoked, making the Trump administration’s federalization and appointment unprecedented. The lawsuit seeks to block the federal government from extending control over the MPD, protecting the District’s autonomy in managing its police department.
Schwalb's office further stated that the Administration's actions are an affront to the dignity and autonomy of the 700,000 Americans who call DC home. The lawsuit claims that Cole's appointment exceeds the emergency authorities outlined in the D.C. Home Rule Act.
Schwalb's lawsuit argues against a federal government takeover of the MPD, stating that it should remain under the command of Mayor Muriel Bowser and MPD Police Chief Pamela Smith. Schwalb stated that while the Home Rule Act allows the president to intervene in local governance, Trump's influence has limits.
The lawsuit filed by Washington, D.C., Attorney General Brian Schwalb states that Section 740 of the Home Rule Act does not authorize the Trump administration's "brazen usurpation" of the District's authority over its own government. Schwalb's office emphasized that no provision of the Home Rule Act lets the White House assume control over basic government functions in the District.
This lawsuit represents a legal effort to prevent the federal government from usurping local control over the MPD through the appointment of Terry Cole and other executive actions taken by the Trump administration. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the balance of power between federal and local governments in the District of Columbia.
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