D.C. attorney general sues Trump administration, claiming 'unlawful' takeover

D.C. attorney general sues Trump administration, claiming ‘unlawful’ takeover

Days after President Donald Trump declared “Liberation Day” by federalizing the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and deploying hundreds of National Guard members to curb crime, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb is filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration claiming the federal takeover is unlawful.

Schwalb describes the Trump administration’s federal takeover of MPD as “brazenly unlawful” and a “hostile takeover,” adding that Trump has “limited authority” in invoking Section 740 of the Home Rule Act.

“The federal government’s power over DC is not absolute, and it should not be exercised as such. Section 740 of the Home Rule Act permits the President to request MPD’s services. But it can only be done temporarily, for special emergencies, and solely for federal purposes,” the attorney general posted on X Friday morning.

He claims the Home Rule Act “keeps operational control of MPD with the Mayor and Chief.”

“This is an affront to the dignity and autonomy of the 700,000 Americans who call DC home. Our office will go to court to defend Home Rule, block the unlawful orders, and maintain MPD under District control. We have no choice but to stand up for DC residents’ rights and safety,” Schwalb wrote.

The lawsuit comes on the heels of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issuing an order to replace MPD Chief Pamela Smith with Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Terry Cole to serve as the agency’s “emergency police commissioner.” In addition, the Trump administration rescinded the district’s “sanctuary policies,” allowing law enforcement to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.

Trump tapped Bondi to take operational control of the Metropolitan Police as part of an executive order, citing “out of control” violence in the nation’s capital.

Trump claims the district has “crime, bloodshed, bedlam and squalor and worse” in defense of his reasoning to invoke the act.

Prior to declaring “Liberation Day” in the district, the president described the city’s crime as “out of control,” citing youth violence.

“Crime in Washington, D.C., is totally out of control. Local ‘youths’ and gang members, some only 14, 15, and 16-years-old, are randomly attacking, mugging, maiming, and shooting innocent Citizens, at the same time knowing that they will be almost immediately released,” Trump lamented. “They are not afraid of Law Enforcement because they know nothing ever happens to them, but it’s going to happen now! The Law in D.C. must be changed to prosecute these ‘minors’ as adults, and lock them up for a long time, starting at age 14.”

As the law currently stands, Section 740 of the Home Rule Act only allows the president to federalize MPD for up to 30 days.

However, a group of Republicans in Congress is trying to alter or rescind the Home Rule Act. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., is proposing a resolution to remove the 30-day limit.

In February, U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Ogles introduced legislation to repeal the Home Rule Act, claiming the district is plagued by violence and crime.

The duo tied the title of the legislation to Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser. The Bringing Oversight to Washington and Safety to Every Resident Act can be shortened to the BOWSER Act.

The District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973 was enacted by Congress and ratified by D.C. voters. The act gave the district residents limited autonomy over local affairs, allowing them to elect local leaders, including mayors and council members.

Events

No events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Texas House, Illinois state senator sue 33 AWOL Democrats in Illinois court

Texas House, Illinois state senator sue 33 AWOL Democrats in Illinois court

By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Texas House of Representatives has sued 33 House Democrats who absconded to Illinois to prevent...
WATCH: Democrat state redistricting efforts created unfair advantages, lawmaker says

WATCH: Democrat state redistricting efforts created unfair advantages, lawmaker says

By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – While Democratic lawmakers from California to New York have threatened to redistrict in response to Texas'...
Illinois quick hits: Fatal helicopter crash; Comptroller orders another extra pension payment

Illinois quick hits: Fatal helicopter crash; Comptroller orders another extra pension payment

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Fatal helicopter crash Two people are dead after a helicopter crashed into a barge on the Mississippi River. The Federal Aviation...
New poll: 50.2% of Illinois voters view Pritzker unfavorably

New poll: 50.2% of Illinois voters view Pritzker unfavorably

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new poll shows that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s approval rating has flipped negative for the first time....
WATCH: Pritzker welcomes FBI looking for TX Dems in IL, dismisses bribery question

WATCH: Pritzker welcomes FBI looking for TX Dems in IL, dismisses bribery question

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the FBI gets involved in locating Texas Democrats hiding out in states like Illinois, Gov. J.B....
WATCH: Illinois State Fair: Affordable fun backed by $140M in taxpayer funding

WATCH: Illinois State Fair: Affordable fun backed by $140M in taxpayer funding

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The 2025 Illinois State Fair is being praised for its affordability and accessibility to families across...
Op-Ed: State lawmakers gut Emmett Till Day bill, expose Illinois’ corruption problem

Op-Ed: State lawmakers gut Emmett Till Day bill, expose Illinois’ corruption problem

By LyLena D. Estabine | Illinois Policy InstituteThe Center Square July 25, 2025, would have marked Illinois’ first Emmett Till Day, a commemoration of the 14-year-old Chicagoan whose 1955 lynching...
Democratic PACs being investigated for bankrolling AWOL Texas House Democrats

Democratic PACs being investigated for bankrolling AWOL Texas House Democrats

By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Democratic political action committees are being investigated by state, and potentially federal, authorities over claims they...
Pritzker: Chicago mayor 'never once called' to oppose pension bill

Pritzker: Chicago mayor ‘never once called’ to oppose pension bill

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson never called him to oppose a pension bill...
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 7th, 2025

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 7th, 2025

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop continues his coverage...
Fire-Ambulance-Rescue-Logo

Indiana Woman Identified as Victim in Fatal Wilmington-Peotone Road Crash

The Will County Coroner’s Office has officially identified the woman killed in Tuesday’s fatal crash on Wilmington-Peotone Road as 70-year-old Judith L. Stirm of Delphi, Indiana. In a statement, Coroner...
Frankfort-Police-Rescue

Multiple Agencies Rescue Person in Mental Health Crisis from Frankfort Pond

A person experiencing a mental health crisis was safely rescued from a pond near 80th Avenue in Lakeview Estates on Wednesday after a coordinated response by multiple emergency agencies. Frankfort...
Green-Garden-Logo.WP

Green Garden Township Forges Ahead with New Town Hall Plan, Faces Budget and Neighbor Concerns

The Green Garden Township Board is advancing an ambitious plan to build a new, larger town hall and community center on a six-acre parcel south of its current location, a...
Meeting-7.28.25

IT Consultant Urges Green Garden Township to Adopt Modern Cybersecurity Measures

Green Garden Township’s digital infrastructure is vulnerable to cybercrime and requires an immediate overhaul, including adopting a modern, secure email system and multifactor authentication, an IT consultant told the board...
Sanchez

Sanchez Family Unveils Major Redevelopment Plan for Monee Industrial Property

Article Summary: Developer Luis Sanchez, a key figure in Monee's commercial growth for two decades, presented a plan to revitalize an industrial property on Industrial Drive. The project, which includes...