The witch hunt against Trump never ends. Now it’s reached a fever pitch.
And Donald Trump has been thrown back into the court room after being sued once again.
Trump’s Emergency Measures to Combat D.C. Crime
President Trump invoked Section 740 of the D.C. Home Rule Act, deploying the National Guard and federalizing the MPD for up to 30 days to address what he described as a “crime emergency” in the city. This executive action, aimed at curbing violence and homelessness, led to over 100 arrests by August 13, including 43 in a single day, as part of the Making DC Safe and Beautiful Task Force. On August 14, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi escalated these efforts by appointing DEA head Terry Cole as “Emergency Police Commissioner,” granting him “all the powers and duties” of the MPD chief, effective immediately.
Bondi’s order also rescinded several MPD policies, including one by Chief Pamela Smith that allowed limited cooperation with federal immigration authorities, which Bondi deemed insufficiently robust.
The administration’s actions aim to ensure D.C.’s safety, leveraging federal resources to support a city that, despite reported crime declines, still faces a homicide rate of 27 per 100,000 and vehicle thefts three times the national average, according to posts on X. Trump’s vision to “take our capital back” prioritizes federal intervention to deliver tangible results for American citizens, reinforcing the capital as a secure and thriving hub.
Schwalb’s Lawsuit Challenges Federal Authority
D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a lawsuit on August 15, in federal court, arguing that the Trump administration’s actions constitute an “unlawful” overreach. “By illegally declaring a takeover of MPD, the Administration is abusing its temporary, limited authority under the law,” Schwalb wrote on X, calling it “the gravest threat to Home Rule DC has ever faced, and we are fighting to stop it.”
The suit contends that the Home Rule Act of 1973, which grants D.C. limited self-governance, does not permit the president to replace the police chief or alter MPD’s chain of command.
Schwalb’s letter to Chief Smith on August 14 insisted, “Therefore, members of MPD must continue to follow your orders and not the orders of any official not appointed by the Mayor.”
Schwalb and Mayor Muriel Bowser, both Democrats, argue that the federalization disrupts local autonomy and risks public safety by creating confusion in the MPD’s command structure.
However, their resistance overlooks the administration’s lawful use of emergency powers under the Home Rule Act, which allows the president to request MPD services for federal purposes during crises, a provision Trump has utilized to address pressing safety concerns in the capital.
Balancing Local Governance with National Priorities
While D.C. officials like Bowser initially acknowledged the potential benefits of federal support, noting, “The feds have an outsize role in D.C., we all know that,” her tone shifted after Bondi’s order, with her stating on X, “There is no statute that conveys the District’s personnel authority to a federal official.”
D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson also criticized the move, asserting, “Donald Trump is not going to tell our police how to police.” Yet, these objections contrast with the administration’s data-driven approach, as violent crime, while down 26% from 2024, remains a significant issue, with FBI statistics showing D.C.’s violent crime rate still exceeding national averages in key categories.
The Trump administration’s strategy, backed by Bondi’s directive to end D.C.’s sanctuary city policies, aligns with its immigration enforcement goals, ensuring the capital does not shield criminal activity.
By installing a seasoned federal official like Cole, the administration seeks to streamline operations and deliver results, potentially setting a model for other cities.
