The District of Columbia filed a lawsuit on Friday to prevent President Donald Trump’s administration from asserting control over Washington’s police department. Washington police department
The legal filing followed federal government’s move to control D.C. law enforcement by appointing a federal official as the interim emergency head. Washington police department
D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb sought an emergency restraining order, arguing in federal court that the administration’s actions exceed presidential lawful powers.
The White House and the Department of Justice did not immediately respond to the initiation of legal action by the nation’s capital. Washington police department
Trump places Washington DC police under federal control; vows to make city safer
The case argues that the federal government’s move represents an unprecedented threat to D.C.’s Home Rule and asserted the significance of protecting the rights of the city’s 700,000 residents.
“By declaring a hostile takeover of MPD, the Administration is abusing its limited, temporary authority under the Home Rule Act, infringing on the District’s right to self-governance and putting the safety of DC residents and visitors at risk,” Schwalb said in a statement. “
The federal government’s involvement deepened when Attorney General Pam Bondi designated Drug Enforcement Administration chief Terry Cole as the new emergency commissioner with the powers typically vested in the D.C. Chief of Police.
Under this directive, the Metropolitan Police Department must seek Commissioner Cole’s approval before issuing any orders.
The move leaves the current police chief Pamela Smith’s position uncertain. Smith reports to the city’s mayor.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, who walked a tightrope walk after President Donald Trump’s federal takeover of the city, opposed the move, arguing there is no statute that conveys the District’s personnel authority to a federal official.
The story is being updated.
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Huma Nisar is Associate Editor at Views News Now. She also writes opinion articles on health, society and diet.
