Washington, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb has taken a stand against what he sees as an overreach by President Donald Trump regarding the control of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Schwalb has filed a lawsuit arguing that current legislation does not authorize the president to seize control of local law enforcement. Under the Home Rule Act, he insists that while the president can request services from the MPD for federal purposes, it does not empower him to direct local policing. “This is about local control,” Schwalb emphasized, pointing out the act’s intent to leave policing responsibility in the hands of local leaders.
Despite Schwalb’s legal challenge, Mayor Muriel Bowser has already engaged with federal authorities, including U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. Their meeting was described as “productive,” with Bondi indicating that the federal government would work alongside city officials to improve safety in Washington, D.C. Bowser’s legal team reportedly challenges the grounds of Schwalb’s lawsuit, stating they do not believe there is a basis to contest the president’s declaration of a crime emergency in the district.
Trump’s federal takeover of the MPD was officially announced on Monday, a declaration he referred to as a significant step to restore order in a city facing severe crime issues. He invoked Section 740 of the Home Rule Act to justify placing federal authorities in command of local police. “This is Liberation Day in D.C.,” Trump proclaimed, asserting that the police force requires federal oversight to effectively combat crime.
As part of this initiative, Trump designated DEA Administrator Terrance Cole as the emergency police commissioner, granting him sweeping powers typically held by the D.C. Chief of Police. The lawsuit filed by Schwalb seeks to block this appointment, arguing that having a clear command structure is vital for public safety. “There is no greater risk to public safety in a large, professional police force like MPD than to not know who is in command,” the lawsuit states.
While the complaint does not contest other aspects of Trump’s crime-fighting measures, such as mobilizing National Guard troops, it underscores a growing tension over who ultimately has authority in policing the nation’s capital. The legal battle reflects deeper concerns about federal versus local control in addressing crime and governance in Washington, D.C.
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