Background and Context
On August 12, 2025, President Donald Trump announced that he would federalize the Washington D.C. police department, deploy the National Guard, and dispatch hundreds of federal officers to patrol the nation's capital. This move was part of his plan to address what he described as 'crime, bloodshed, bedlam, and squalor' in the city.
The Lawsuit and Court Hearing
On August 14, 2025, Washington D.C.'s Attorney General, Brian Schwalb, filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration over its federal takeover of the D.C. police force and the appointment of Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) chief Terry Cole as D.C.'s Emergency Police Commissioner. The lawsuit aimed to challenge the federal government's unlawful attempt to take over the District of Columbia's Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and ensure that control of MPD remains with the Mayor, the Chief, and the people of the District of Columbia.
A court hearing was held on August 15, 2025, where a judge threatened to block an order federalizing Washington's police. As a result, the Justice Department issued a new directive leaving the city's police chief in charge.
The Federal Takeover and Reversal
On August 13, 2025, the Trump administration escalated its intervention into the city's law enforcement by naming a federal official as the new emergency head of the department, essentially placing the police force under the full control of the federal government. However, on August 15, 2025, the Trump administration reversed course and agreed to leave the Washington police chief in control of the department.
Reactions and Implications
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) wrote a letter to local residents seeking to quell anxiety over the Trump administration's federal takeover of Washington's law enforcement. The mayor's move was part of an effort to reassure residents amid the controversy.
Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a new memo directing the District's police to co-operate with federal immigration enforcement regardless of any city law. This move was seen as an attempt to expand federal authority over the city's police department.
Expert Insights
Conclusion and Aftermath
The federal takeover of the Washington D.C. police department and the subsequent lawsuit and court hearing have significant implications for the city's governance and law enforcement. The city's successful challenge to the federal takeover has ensured that control of the police department remains with local authorities.
Additional Facts and Figures
- 800 National Guard troops were deployed to Washington D.C. as part of Trump's plan to address crime in the city.
- The DEA chief, Terry Cole, was appointed as D.C.'s Emergency Police Commissioner, but later relinquished control to the city's police chief.
Sources and References
Sources used in this article include:
- Time.com: 'D.C. Sues Trump Administration Over Police Takeover and Rallies Against 'Emergency Commissioner' Appointment'
- Theatlantic.com: 'Trump's Dreams for D.C. Could Soon Hit Reality'
- Theglobeandmail.com: 'Trump administration agrees to leave Washington police chief in charge after court hearing'
- Thehill.com: 'Bowser seeks to reassure DC residents amid federal police takeover'
- Pbs.org: 'Trump's D.C. takeover reflects efforts to expand his authority, attorney says'
- Nytimes.com: 'D.C. Police Chief Retains Control of City Police After Court Hearing'
- France24.com: 'Trump deploys National Guard in Washington in response to what he calls a 'crime emergency''
- Slate.com: 'I Walked Through Trump's D.C. Hellscape. It's Now Clear What Exactly the Feds Are Doing Here.'