A sweeping legal battle has erupted after federal authorities attempted to usurp control of the D.C. police force, raising urgent constitutional and governance questions.

At a Glance

• D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb has filed a lawsuit demanding a court block a federal directive that places DEA Chief Terry Cole in charge of MPD.
• The directive by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi rescinds local police orders, including sanctuary policies and arrest protocols.
• Schwalb contends the move violates the Home Rule Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the U.S. Constitution.
• Mayor Muriel Bowser and Chief Pamela Smith publicly reject the federal edict, urging MPD to maintain local chain of command.
• The case symbolizes one of the most forceful attempts by the federal government to assert direct control over local law enforcement in modern history.

Origins of the Dispute

On the evening of August 14, 2025, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a directive installing DEA Administrator Terry Cole as D.C.’s “emergency police commissioner,” granting him the full powers of the Metropolitan Police Chief and revoking several local police orders—including those curbing cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Within hours, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb countered, describing the move as a “hostile takeover” that fundamentally oversteps the federal government’s legal bounds under the Home Rule Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Constitution.

Watch now: Trump says he’s placing DC police under federal control and deploying the National Guard. · YouTube

Local Resistance and Legal Claims

Mayor Muriel Bowser underscored that “there is no statute that conveys the District’s personnel authority to a federal official,” reinforcing support for Chief Pamela Smith’s continued leadership. In a written memo, Schwalb instructed MPD officers to disregard orders from anyone but the mayor-appointed chief, stating they are “not legally obligated to follow” Bondi’s directive.

The lawsuit, filed August 15, 2025, seeks an emergency restraining order to halt the federal intervention, as it poses a threat to the city’s autonomy and raises public safety concerns amid growing confusion over command authority.

Broader Implications

The confrontation is emblematic of a broader national strategy by the Trump administration to erode sanctuary policies and assert federal dominance in local governance. Critics argue this represents the most aggressive federal encroachment on D.C.’s self-rule since the Home Rule Act of 1973.

Adding to tensions, the federal presence across the capital has visibly intensified—National Guard troops, DEA agents, and other federal law enforcement units have deployed around high-profile locations, from Union Station to The Wharf. Despite the administration’s claim that this represents a temporary takeover (up to 30 days, subject to Congressional review), D.C. leaders warn of long-term risks to democratic governance.

Sources

NBC Washington
Associated Press
The Guardian