On Thursday evening, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued an order that could significantly reshape law enforcement in Washington, DC. Her directive calls for Terry Cole, the DEA chief, to step in as the district’s ’emergency police commissioner’ and gain full control over local law enforcement during what she calls a federal takeover. This decision has quickly met with backlash from both the DC mayor and attorney general, who signaled their reluctance to comply.
Bondi’s instruction formally asserts federal government authority over the DC police and challenges the city’s sanctuary policies. Mayor Muriel Bowser wasted no time in rejecting the encroachment on local governance, declaring publicly that no law exists that allows a federal figure to take over district personnel decisions.
She emphasized, “The law mandates that the mayor manage the Metropolitan Police Department for federal undertakings during presidential emergencies, and we’ve adhered to that law.”
In addition to the mayor’s message, DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb deemed Bondi’s decree illegal. He communicated in a letter to Police Chief Pamela Smith that following Bondi’s order is not a legal requirement. Schwalb supported his stance by citing the Home Rule Act, which prevents President Trump from having the power to dismiss or replace the police chief or alter the police department’s command structure.
Schwalb clarified, “The act explicitly does not allow the Presidentor any authorized delegate to alter the command hierarchy, issue directives to law enforcement outside of the mayor’s authority, or interfere with local police operations. Therefore, Bondi’s order is beyond legal bounds.”
Not satisfied, Bondi’s order additionally rescinded a recent directive from Chief Smith that granted officers limited means to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Moreover, MPD was instructed to get approval from Commissioner Cole before proceeding with any further directives.
The Justice Department raised concerns that this previously mentioned directive was an effort to maintain the very sanctuary city practices they oppose. As part of her directives, Bondi also demanded that the DC government dismantle two more police policies aimed at shielding undocumented individuals, specifically one that previously stopped MPD from making arrests solely based on federal immigration warrants.
This directive from Bondi comes on the heels of Trump’s declaration of a crime emergency, which also positioned Cole as the provisional federal head of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Schwalb reiterated that both Trump and Bondi are stepping outside their legal parameters. He affirmed to Smith,:”Given your proper appointment by the mayor and confirmation by the council, you hold the rightful position as Chief of Police in DC. Thus, MPD officers are obligated to adhere to your guidance, rather than follow directives issued by any other unelected official.”
CNN has sought commentary from the Metropolitan Police Department.
Bondi’s initiative verifies that the federal intervention in DC’s policing apparatus is intersecting with the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration stances, leveraging that control to upend city laws intended to safeguard undocumented residents. “DC will not remain a sanctuary city sheltering criminal outsiders,” Bondi stated during a Fox News interview on Thursday. “That will not transpire.”
In related reactions, DC City Council member Christina Henderson remarked on social platforms, underscoring that the Attorney General lacks the power to nullify laws.
On that same Thursday, Chief Smith had earlier authorized local police officers to exchange information about individuals they don’t have in custody with federal immigration agencies, also permitting assistance with the transport of agency personnel and detainees.
Nevertheless, the fundamental order emphasized—aligning with local laws and conduct codes—remains prohibitive against officers scanning police databases exclusively for someone’s immigration status, making inquiries aimed solely at assessing if an individual has violated immigration laws, or arresting someone based only on federal immigration claims.
This article has been updated to reflect new information.
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