On Friday, Attorney General Brian Schwalb of Washington, D.C., initiated a significant legal challenge against President Donald Trump concerning his unprecedented takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). In a statement released shortly after the lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court in D.C., Schwalb described the Administration's actions as “brazenly unlawful.” He emphasized that these measures exceed the President's limited authority, marking a hostile takeover of the police force.
Schwalb expressed grave concerns regarding how this takeover infringes on the District's right to self-governance, jeopardizing the safety of both D.C. residents and visitors. “These actions not only challenge our local autonomy but also put the community at risk,” he stated. The legal move comes in response to an executive order signed by Trump, which commanded D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to temporarily transfer control of the MPD to the federal government. This order also pressures Congress to extend that control beyond the usual 30-day limit.
Trump's executive order invoked a rarely-used section of the Home Rule Act, a law that has governed the District's local government for over 52 years. This unprecedented use of emergency powers has raised alarms among local officials and residents alike. The lawsuit was filed mere hours after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi directed D.C.'s chief of police to relinquish authority to Terry Cole, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administrator, further complicating the situation.
In light of these developments, Schwalb declared, “This is an affront to the dignity and autonomy of the 700,000 Americans who call D.C. home.” His office is committed to defending the principle of Home Rule, blocking what they consider unlawful orders, and ensuring that the MPD remains under District control. Bowser has also publicly criticized Bondi's directive, deeming it unlawful and instructing Police Chief Pamela Smith that she is not legally obligated to comply.
Schwalb’s lawsuit seeks to have a judge vacate Bondi's order and prevent any future attempts to seize control of the D.C. police force. He aims to secure a declaration that Trump’s executive order violates the U.S. Constitution, particularly the provisions concerning the separation of governmental powers. The lawsuit names Trump, Bondi, the Department of Justice, Cole, the Drug Enforcement Administration, as well as the U.S. Marshals Service and its director, Gadyaces Serralta, as defendants.
This legal battle highlights ongoing tensions between federal and local authorities, raising critical questions about governance and public safety in the nation's capital.
