Washington, DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a federal lawsuit on Friday to stop President Donald Trump’s attempt to take control of the city’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The legal action followed a decision by US Attorney General Pam Bondi to appoint Drug Enforcement Administration chief Terry Cole as emergency commissioner, giving him authority over police directives.
Bondi rescinded several MPD policies, including a recent order from Police Chief Pamela Smith that allowed limited cooperation with federal immigration agencies.
Under Bondi’s directive, the police department had to get Cole’s approval before issuing any new rules. City officials argued that federal law does not give outside authorities control over local police personnel.
Earlier this week, Trump deployed National Guard troops to Washington and sent federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and Customs and Border Protection, to patrol city streets.
Residents reported a heavy federal presence, including military vehicles at key locations and troops at landmarks throughout the city.
The legal dispute focused on whether the president had the authority to take over the police department.
US District Judge Ana Reyes ruled that federal law does give the president some powers over the city, but it does not allow direct control of local police operations.
Following the ruling, the Trump administration agreed to let Chief Smith, appointed by Mayor Muriel Bowser, remain in charge of the MPD.
The court order brought a temporary resolution to the standoff after hours of debate in federal court.
Officials in Washington said Trump’s attempt to seize control of the police represents one of the most serious challenges to the District’s home rule in recent history.