Washington DC sues Trump administration over 'hostile takeover' of police

Washington DC’s government has gone to court to stop "hostile takeover" of its police department by the Trump administration. On Friday, District of Columbia attorney general Brian Schwalb asked for an emergency order from a judge to block the federal government’s new control over local law enforcement.

The legal fight began hours after US attorney general Pam Bondi issued an order on Thursday night that gave the federal government the power to appoint a new head of the city’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

Schwalb alleged that President Donald Trump’s team is going far beyond its legal powers and breaking the rules set for the nation’s capital.

DEA CHIEF APPOINTED AS CAPITAL’S TOP COP

According to the Trump administration’s plan, the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Terry Cole, would take over as "emergency police commissioner" in Washington DC. Bondi said Cole would have "all powers and duties" of the city’s police chief.

She added that MPD staff would have to get Cole’s approval before giving any orders. This created confusion about the role of Pamela Smith, the current police chief appointed by the city’s mayor, Muriel Bowser.

Local leaders immediately opposed the move and filed a lawsuit to stop it. They say the decision undermines local democracy and breaks the Home Rule Act, which gives Washington DC limited self-government.

BOWSER AND SCHWALB CHALLENGE WHITE HOUSE MOVE

Mayor Bowser criticised the takeover on Thursday night. She posted on social media that "there is no statute that gives a federal official control over the District’s personnel."

Bowser also shared a letter from Schwalb to Chief Smith. In it, Schwalb said Bondi’s order was "unlawful" and told Smith she was "not legally obligated to follow it." He instructed MPD officers to follow the orders of the police chief appointed by the mayor — not any federal appointee.

The takeover comes four days after Trump sent Guard troops into the city. The president had declared a crisis of crime and homelessness in Washington DC.

Bondi defended the decision, saying the city’s police needed stronger leadership to handle public safety. She claimed that Cole’s appointment would make operations more effective and allow better coordination with federal agencies.

CLASH OVER DC’S SANCTUARY CITY RULES

The tension grew after Chief Smith issued an order telling MPD officers to share information about people not in custody with federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Since Washington DC is a "sanctuary city", local law still prevents police from giving immigration authorities details about undocumented people in custody. Police also cannot arrest someone solely for their immigration status or allow immigration officers to interview detainees.

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With inputs from Reuters