To AG Schwalb’s credit, he took significant action on Friday — he filed a lawsuit. He is taking on President Donald Trump’s recent takeover of Washington, D.C.’s police force. The suit names Trump as a defendant. He is accompanied by Pam Bondi, the Department of Justice and a gaggle of other federal agencies including Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Marshals Service.
In short, Trump signed a fairly meaningless executive order on Monday. It would require D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to cede temporary control of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to the federal government. This is a dangerous move that local officials – including DC Mayor Bowser – have roundly condemned. SEIU Local 500 Mayor Bowser rightfully called Bondi’s order to cede authority to Terry Cole unlawful.
On Thursday, Bondi forced the police chief to relinquish command. From the start, the D.C. government has fought this decision. The lawsuit argues that these actions exceed the President’s limited statutory authority. Lastly, it still claims they violate the District’s home rule self-governance rights.
In his statement on the lawsuit, Schwalb made crystal clear the chilling effect that he believed Trump’s conduct had already created.
“They go well beyond the bounds of the President’s limited authority and instead seek a hostile takeover of MPD. They infringe on the District’s right to self-governance and put the safety of DC residents and visitors at risk.” – Brian Schwalb
The lawsuit names other defendants, including former Reps. Terry Cole and Gadyaces Serralta. That’s what makes the federal role in this case so remarkable. According to reports, this is precisely what Trump is lobbying Congress for – total immunity for police. This step deeply concerns D.C. leaders, who worry that it would set back local self-government in their city.
The legal challenge aims to restore authority to local officials and ensure that D.C. residents retain their rights to elect their own leaders and manage their safety operations independently. The case continues to unfold and will continue to attract substantial interest locally and nationally. It will bring attention to the federal-local conflict that continues to brew.