The Washington Attorney General, DC says in a new lawsuit that Trump goes far beyond his power under the law.
The capital of the United States, Washington, DC, has challenged the acquisition of President Donald Trump of his police department in the Court, hours after his administration intensified his repression in surveillance by appointing the head of the Drug Control Manager (DEA), a federal official, as the new emergency head of the department, with all the powers of a police chief.
Columbia district attorney general Brian Schwalb said Friday in a new lawsuit that Trump exceeds his power under the law. Schwalb urged a judge to govern that the control of the department remains in the hands of the city, and he has also sought an emergency restriction order.
“The illegal actions of the administration are an affront to the dignity and autonomy of the 700,000 Americans who call DC Home. This is the most serious threat to the home rule that the district has faced, and we are fighting to stop it,” Schwalb said.
The mayor of Washington, Muriel Bowser, also delayed, writing on social networks that “there is no statute that transmits the district personnel of the district to a federal official.”
Let's be clear about what the law requires during a declared presidential emergency: it requires that Washington mayor, DC to provide the services of the Metropolitan Police Department for federal purposes at the request of the President.
We have followed the law.
In… pic.twitter.com/xfanqlalfu
– Mayor Muriel Bowser (@Mayorbowser) August 15, 2025
The lawsuit occurs after Trump's attorney general Pam Bondi said Thursday night that the head of the DEA, Terry Cole, will assume “powers and duties acquired in the Chief of Police of the Columbia district.” The Metropolitan Police Department “must receive the approval of Commissioner Cole” before issuing any orders, Bondi said.
Earlier this week, Trump announced that the Federal Government would take control of the Metropolitan Police Department of the Columbia District (DC) to address the growing crime.
“I am announcing a historical action to rescue the capital of our nation from crime, bloodshed, bedlam and misery and worse,” Trump said during the press conference, in which he joined Bondi, who was initially ready to supervise the police force of the city while under federal control.
“This is the day of release in DC, and we are going to recover our capital. We are recovering it,” Trump said.
He also announced the deployment of the National Guard.
“I am deploying the National Guard to help restore law, order and public safety in Washington, DC, and they will be allowed to do their job correctly,” he said.
Trump also said he intends to eliminate the population of homeless people from the capital, but did not provide details about how the plan would be carried out.
Residents distrust the scaled force sample
A population of Washington is already nervous on the days of the Trump administration ramps has begun to witness more significant force shows throughout the city.
The National Guard troops monitored some of the most famous reference points in the country and Humvees took their position in front of the crowded center of main trains, Union Station.
Volunteers have helped homeless people to leave long -standing camps, but where they moved often it was not clear.
The Police of the National Security Department was outside the National Park during a baseball game on Thursday. The agents of the DEA patrolled the dock, a popular area of nightlife, while the officers of the Secret Service were seen in the background neighborhood.
The sudden increase in a high visibility of the federal forces of the city, even in many occupied traffic areas, has hit residents who are dedicated to their daily lives.
Trump has the power to take care of the Federal Police for 30 days before his actions must be reviewed by Congress, although he has said that he will reassess as that deadline is approaching.
The National Guard troops are usually a greater presence in the Washington Metropolitan Area, which are generally used during mass public events such as the annual celebration of July 4. They have been used regularly in the past for the control of crowds at the subway stations and its surroundings.
