Trump's dialogue with Councilmember Brooke Pinto centers on his proposed control over the District of Columbia's police force.
In a city where local governance plays a significant role, the recent federalization of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has raised eyebrows. Councilmember Brooke Pinto, who represents Ward 2 and chairs the committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, has expressed concerns about this move.
This year, Councilmember Pinto also passed a bill called Peace DC. However, the focus has shifted to the federalization of the MPD, which transfers control of local law enforcement from the D.C. government to the federal government. This change places the MPD under the command of the U.S. Attorney General and federal authorities, significantly reducing the local government's role in public safety and law enforcement.
Under Section 740 of the D.C. Home Rule Act (1973), the President can take control of the MPD for "federal purposes" during declared emergencies. In August 2025, this was invoked to address an alleged crime emergency, leading to the MPD being federalized and supplemented by National Guard troops and federal agents. The federal takeover initially lasts 30 days but can be extended by joint Congressional resolution, placing ultimate authority over local police operations in federal hands rather than the locally elected government.
Councilmember Pinto has voiced her concerns about this arrangement, stating that it prevents the D.C. mayor and council from making independent decisions about local law enforcement. She believes that understanding neighborhoods and context is crucial for effective policing, and this federal control could potentially impact local accountability and self-governance in Washington, D.C.
Moreover, Councilmember Pinto has questioned the operational feasibility of the federalization, citing the unusual deployment of the National Guard and the fact that they are not primarily designed to handle arrests and prosecutions. She has also raised concerns about the National Guard's authority to arrest people in D.C., but further information on this matter is not available.
In addition to the federalization of the MPD, Councilmember Pinto has been actively working on local initiatives. In 2023, she introduced the largest legislative package in D.C.'s history called Secure DC, aiming to drive crime down. The crime rate in D.C. has since been reduced to the lowest levels in 30 years due to the Secure DC bill.
However, Councilmember Pinto has also highlighted other issues that need attention, such as judicial vacancies in D.C. courts and the high declamation rate at the U.S. attorney's office in D.C. She has welcomed the federal government's help in addressing these issues, which can help fight crime.
In conclusion, while Councilmember Pinto acknowledges the need for federal assistance in certain areas, she emphasizes the importance of maintaining local control over law enforcement. She believes that D.C.'s law enforcement, specifically the MPD, should report to the locally elected mayor and the chief of police for effective and context-aware policing.
- Councilmember Pinto's concerns about the federalization of the MPD are rooted in the potential impact on local accountability and self-governance, as it places public safety and law enforcement decisions under the authority of federal authorities instead of the locally elected government.
- In the realm of policy-and-legislation and general-news, the federalization of the MPD raises questions not only about operational feasibility but also about public safety, as Councilmember Pinto argues for the importance of maintaining local control over law enforcement for effective and context-aware policing.
