D.C. Officials Take Legal Action Against Trump Over Police Takeover

D.C. Attorney General Sues Trump Administration Over Federal Police Takeover

On Friday, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging its federal takeover of the D.C. police force and the deployment of National Guard troops into the city. Schwalb argues that these actions are “unlawful” and exceed Trump’s authority as commander in chief.

The lawsuit targets Trump’s executive order to temporarily federalize D.C. under Section 740 of the D.C. Home Rule Act, as well as Attorney General Pam Bondi’s recent order appointing the DEA head as the emergency commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. Schwalb asserts that these moves are unprecedented, brazenly unlawful, and could “wreak operational havoc” on the D.C. Metropolitan Police.

Schwalb Challenges Trump’s Authority: Threats to D.C.’s Self-Governance

In the legal filing, Schwalb urged the court to block the executive orders, stressing that the Trump administration’s temporary takeover of D.C. police violates the D.C. Home Rule Act and infringes on the District’s right to self-governance.

Schwalb argued, “These actions put the safety of D.C. residents and visitors at risk.” He also requested a temporary restraining order (TRO) to immediately halt Trump’s order while the case is being reviewed.

Judge Ana Reyes to Hear Emergency Request

The lawsuit was assigned to U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, a Biden appointee, who scheduled an emergency hearing for Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. Reyes, known for her sharp questioning, is likely to come under scrutiny by Trump’s allies, who have criticized her past rulings.

Reyes previously blocked Trump’s ban on transgender service members, prompting Trump’s supporters to label her as an “activist” judge.

Metropolitan Police Chief Warns of Dangers to Public Safety

D.C. Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith filed a statement in court, warning that Trump’s actions could “endanger the safety of the public and law enforcement officers.” She claimed that, in her nearly three decades of service, she had never seen a government action posing such a serious threat to law and order.

Trump’s Efforts to Federalize D.C. Spark Outrage

The lawsuit comes just days after Trump issued an executive order to temporarily federalize D.C., claiming it was necessary to restore law and order in a city he described as “one of the most dangerous cities in the world.” The order included deploying hundreds of National Guard troops and taking federal control of the Metropolitan Police.

On Thursday, Pam Bondi further escalated the situation by appointing Terry Cole, the head of the DEA, as the emergency commissioner, sidelining Chief Pamela Smith.

Schwalb: “A Grave Threat to Home Rule”

Schwalb called these actions “an affront to the dignity and autonomy of the 700,000 Americans who call D.C. home.” He emphasized, “This is the gravest threat to Home Rule that the District has ever faced.”

Trump’s Executive Order and Rising Tensions in D.C.

In the wake of the lawsuit, the Trump administration’s handling of crime data in D.C. has been fiercely criticized. White House officials, including Stephen Miller, have repeatedly claimed that D.C. is more violent than Baghdad, even as data showed a 26% decrease in violent crime between 2023 and 2024.

Critics argue that Trump’s executive order was not a response to a real emergency but an overreach of executive power aimed at pushing through sweeping policy changes outside normal processes.

Eisen Criticizes Trump’s Executive Order

Former White House ethics czar Norm Eisen slammed Trump’s D.C. executive order, calling it part of a “pattern of assaults on the rule of law.” He described it as a “fake emergency”, citing declining crime rates in D.C. Eisen further stated, “Trump’s order is a dangerous overstep of executive power.”