In Washington D.C., Brian Schwalb, the attorney general, has officially challenged the Trump administration in federal court over its aggressive takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department. This legal battle was initiated on Friday.
Schwalb’s lawsuit targets an executive order signed by Trump on Monday and another order from Attorney General Pam Bondi issued on Thursday, both asserting federal control over the local police. Schwalb’s team argues that such a takeover might extend beyond the limited authority granted for emergency situations, which they deem unacceptable.
“By instating what they’ve called a hostile takeover of the MPD, the White House is misusing its restricted powers under the Home Rule Act. This not only undermines the District’s right to govern itself but could potentially jeopardize the safety of residents and visitors in D.C.,” Schwalb stated, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. He classified these actions by the administration as a significant violation of the rights of the 700,000 individuals living in D.C. and announced a commitment to resisting this threat to local governance.
Adding fire to the issue, Bondi revealed on Thursday that DEA Administrator Terry Cole would serve as the “emergency police commissioner” during Trump’s oversight, sidelining Police Chief Pamela Smith. Schwalb’s office clarified that Trump’s responsibility is merely to request services for federal reasons, and there was no legislative support for him to replace the D.C. police chief.
This piece was first reported on NBCNews.com.
