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D.C. Sues to Stop Trump’s ‘Hostile Takeover’ of Metropolitan Police Department

August 15, 2025

The District of Columbia has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging President Trump's executive order and Attorney General Pam Bondi's directive that attempt to take control of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) from local leaders. DC Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb argues that the administration is abusing its limited authority under the Home Rule Act, which only allows the president to temporarily request the police department's assistance in emergencies and strictly for federal purposes.

Who is affected

  • The 700,000 Americans who live in the District of Columbia
  • DC residents and visitors whose safety is allegedly put at risk
  • The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)
  • MPD Chief Pamela A. Smith and her leadership
  • DC's local elected government and leadership

What action is being taken

  • The District of Columbia is filing a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against the Trump administration
  • Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb is challenging President Trump's Aug. 11 executive order and AG Pam Bondi's Aug. 14 directive
  • The District is asking the court to declare the orders unlawful, block their enforcement, and maintain local control of MPD
  • Former ANC 8C Chair Mike Austin is publicly supporting Schwalb's lawsuit

Why it matters

  • This represents what officials call "the gravest threat to Home Rule that the District has ever faced"
  • The lawsuit challenges an unprecedented federal attempt to control a local police department
  • It involves a never-before-used section of the 1973 Home Rule Act
  • The case centers on DC's right to self-governance and autonomy
  • The takeover attempts to install an "Emergency Police Commissioner" with powers to rescind long-standing department policies
  • The administration's directive would have MPD enforce local ordinances on homelessness and public space occupancy, which DC argues is outside federal authority

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer