D.C. sues to block Trumps federal takeover of its police department as crackdown intensifies

Washington, D. C. , filed a lawsuit on Friday to block President Donald Trump's administration from assuming control of its police department. Attorney General Brian Schwalb claimed the takeover is illegal and threatens to create chaos within the Metropolitan Police Department. The legal challenge arose after U.

S. Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed Terry Cole to oversee police operations, raising uncertainties about the role of current police chief Pamela Smith. Schwalb argued that the federal intervention is an affront to the dignity of D. C. residents and a severe threat to the principle of Home Rule.

Bondi's directive, which rescinds several local policies related to immigration enforcement, has intensified the conflict between the Democratic-led city and the Republican administration. Mayor Muriel Bowser pushed back against the federal takeover, stating there is no legal basis for such authority. The lawsuit underscores the ongoing struggle over local governance in the capital, particularly amid rising concerns about crime and public safety. The outcome of this legal battle may set crucial precedents for the balance of power between federal and local authorities.