Trump’s D.C. Police Takeover Fight Deepens as Command Staff Faces Termination in Crime Data Probe

May 5, 2026

The federal government's takeover of Washington D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department has sparked legal challenges and intensified scrutiny as numerous high-ranking officers face termination amid allegations of manipulating crime statistics. D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb has filed a lawsuit arguing the takeover violates the city's self-governance rights under the Home Rule Act, while internal investigations have led to termination notices for at least three senior officials, with up to 20 potentially affected. A draft Justice Department report found MPD's crime data was unreliable due to misclassifications, including allegations that violent crimes were downgraded to make the city appear safer.

Who is affected

The 700,000 residents of Washington D.C.
Metropolitan Police Department personnel, including Cmdr. Michael Pulliam, Cmdr. Tatjana Savoy, and an unnamed captain who received termination notices
Approximately 20 MPD officials under investigation, with at least 14 reportedly receiving termination notices
Former Police Chief Pamela Smith (resigned December 2025)
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser
D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb
Visitors to Washington D.C.

What action is being taken

The federal government has seized control of the Metropolitan Police Department under the Home Rule Act
D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb is pursuing a lawsuit challenging the federal takeover
MPD's internal affairs division is conducting a sweeping investigation and has issued termination papers to multiple officials
The disciplinary process is allowing targeted officials to challenge the findings

Why it matters

This situation represents a significant challenge to D.C.'s autonomy and self-governance rights, affecting the 700,000 Americans who live in the nation's capital. The alleged manipulation of crime statistics undermines public trust in law enforcement data and transparency, making it difficult for residents to accurately assess public safety in their community. The federal takeover sets a concerning precedent for federal intervention in local governance and evokes historical concerns about government overreach in predominantly Black communities. The reliability of crime statistics has broader implications for policy decisions, resource allocation, and community confidence in police leadership.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer