In a significant move, Attorney General Pam Bondi has officially ordered the cessation of sanctuary policies in Washington, D.C. This directive, confirmed by a spokesperson from her office on Thursday evening, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate surrounding immigration enforcement in the capital.
D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb responded promptly, informing the city's police chief that Bondi's directive, which appointed Terry Cole, head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), as the emergency police commissioner, is unlawful. This decision grants Cole the powers typically reserved for the police chief, raising questions about the legality of such an appointment.
When questioned about whether Schwalb's guidance addressed Bondi's order regarding sanctuary policies, a spokesperson for the D.C. mayor's office indicated that the attorney general's legal findings encompass these issues as well.
This announcement comes amid a broader crackdown by the Trump administration on D.C., which has seen the deployment of hundreds of National Guard troops and federal law enforcement to the area. Bondi's directive effectively takes control of the city's police force, intensifying the ongoing conflicts over immigration enforcement.
Bondi's announcement included the rescission of an executive order signed by Chief Pamela Smith on August 14, which allowed police officers to assist federal immigration authorities. According to Bondi's spokesperson, Chad Gilmartin, this prior order enforced sanctuary policies and restricted arrests solely for federal immigration warrants, among other limitations. Additionally, Bondi rescinded an October 2023 general order for the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) that similarly prevented arrests based solely on federal immigration warrants.
In her directive, Bondi has mandated that the MPD fully enforce a section of the D.C. Code, which prohibits obstructing streets, entrances to public or private buildings, and engaging in unlawful demonstrations. Gilmartin highlighted that this order aims to restore law and order amid rising tensions.
Local officials have voiced their concerns regarding the legality and implications of Bondi's actions. Christina Henderson, an at-large member of the Council of the District of Columbia, expressed on social media that the attorney general lacks the authority to revoke established laws. Meanwhile, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser shared Schwalb's letter, which referenced the Home Rule Act, asserting that while President Trump can request police services from the mayor, he cannot unilaterally alter district laws.
Advocates for immigrant rights are apprehensive that the termination of D.C.'s sanctuary policies could deter individuals in immigrant communities from reporting crimes, thereby compromising public safety. They argue that the potential collaboration between immigration authorities and D.C. police may instill fear among residents.
Recent data from the FBI, analyzed by Axios, revealed that Washington, D.C., had a violent crime rate of 925.9 per 100,000 residents last year, which is more than double the national average of 359.1 per 100,000 in 2024. Despite these figures, the U.S. Department of Justice reported earlier this year that the overall number of violent crimes in D.C. had fallen to a 30-year low.
Advocates warn that allowing immigration authorities to collaborate with D.C. police, alongside the cancellation of anti-crime programs, could reverse recent declines in crime rates. The implications of these changes are being closely monitored by community leaders and policymakers alike.
In light of these events, further developments include the D.C. mayor's push for the repeal of the sanctuary city law and new policies allowing D.C. police to alert ICE during traffic stops. These measures are indicative of a broader strategy to intensify immigration enforcement in the district.
Stay tuned for updates as this story continues to evolve.
