Trump authorities assert control over D.C. police chief's authority, yet capital officials resist
In a controversial move, President Donald Trump has deployed National Guard troops and increased the presence of federal law enforcement agencies in Washington, D.C. The administration claims this is to combat "out-of-control" violent crime, despite city data showing crime at historic lows.
The National Guard, trained in de-escalation tactics and crowd control equipment, will assist law enforcement in various roles, including traffic control posts and crowd control. They are not making arrests but are "protecting federal assets, providing a safe environment for law enforcement officers to make arrests, and deterring violent crime with a visible law enforcement presence."
The National Guard will remain in the capital until law and order is restored, as determined by the president, under the Home Rule Act of 1973. However, this temporary federal control can only last for 30 days unless Congress passes legislation to extend it.
The Trump administration has also named the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Terry Cole, as Washington's "emergency police commissioner." Cole will assume the powers and duties vested in the District of Columbia Chief of Police, effectively limiting the operational autonomy of the city's police chief, Pamela Smith.
Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a directive on Thursday evening, rescinding a previous order by Chief Smith that allowed for continued enforcement of "sanctuary policies." Local officers must now follow the orders of Chief Smith, according to D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb's interpretation of the law. All new directives from the Metropolitan Police Department must receive approval from Commissioner Cole, according to Bondi's directive.
Schwalb responded late Thursday that Bondi's directive was "unlawful." The White House did not provide details on what the safety patrols or beautification efforts would entail or how many Guard members have already been sent out on the streets.
Meanwhile, about a dozen homeless residents in Washington packed up their belongings with help from volunteers and city agencies, in response to a threat from the Trump administration. It was often unclear where they were being relocated to. City workers put up signs announcing a general cleanup of public spaces starting at 10 a.m. on Monday.
Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. officials have repeatedly denied there is a formal "takeover" and insisted federal forces are coordinating with local police and Chief Smith. Nonetheless, the city’s Attorney General has filed lawsuits arguing the takeover is illegal, causes conflicting command issues, and threatens chaos in the police force’s operation.
Legally, the Trump administration is relying on provisions in the Home Rule Act of 1973 allowing temporary federal control. However, the move has been challenged as unconstitutional by D.C. officials and its Attorney General. Congressional Democrats have pledged to introduce bills to reverse Trump’s actions, while some Republicans support it.
In summary, the federal takeover of D.C. policing is a controversial move, contested as illegal and unconstitutional by D.C. officials and its Attorney General. Local police Chief Pamela Smith remains officially in place but faces operational challenges. Congress would need to act for federal control to continue beyond the 30-day limit. The city continues to dispute Trump’s characterization of crime and deny any formal loss of control over local police.
[1] The Washington Post: Trump administration’s takeover of D.C. police force is ‘illegal and unconstitutional,’ city officials say
[2] CNN: D.C. sues Trump administration over police takeover
[3] NBC News: D.C. officials sue Trump administration over police takeover, claiming it's illegal
[4] The Hill: D.C. sues Trump administration over police takeover
[5] Politico: D.C. officials sue Trump administration over police takeover
- The Trump administration's decision to take over the policing of Washington D.C. has been labelled as "illegal and unconstitutional" by city officials.
- In response to the federal takeover, D.C. officials have filed lawsuits arguing that it conflicts with the operational autonomy of the city's police force and threatens chaos.
- The National Guard, a part of federal assets, have been deployed to assist in traffic control posts and crowd control in the city, under the Home Rule Act of 1973.
- The Metropolitan Police Department's new directives now require approval from the emergency police commissioner, Terry Cole, appointed by the Trump administration.
- Congressional Democrats have announced their intention to introduce bills to reverse the administration's actions, while some Republicans support the takeover. The move has garnered attention in general news, crime and justice, politics, policy and legislation, war and conflicts, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) assets discussions.
