What Happened
On August 15, 2025, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a directive appointing Terry Cole, the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, as “emergency police commissioner” of Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). This replaced the local Police Chief Pamela Smith and required MPD to seek approval from Cole for any orders (The Guardian, AP News, WEAR).
Responding swiftly, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a federal lawsuit to block the move, calling it a “hostile takeover” that exceeds the President’s legal authority and violates the District’s right to self-governance under the Home Rule Act (Axios, AP News, The Washington Post, WEAR, Globedge).
Legal Ground: The Home Rule Act
Under Section 740 of the D.C. Home Rule Act, the President may request assistance from the MPD during emergencies but such requests must go through the Mayor, Terry Cole and local operational control must remain intact (Wikipedia). Schwalb’s lawsuit argues that Bondi’s directive and the replacement of MPD’s chief:
- Exceeds the limited, temporary powers authorized by Section 740
- Bypasses the Mayor and Chief of Police, undermining local governance
- Undermines the District’s autonomy and risks public safety (The Washington Post, WEAR, The Guardian, AP News)
The lawsuit includes a request for an emergency restraining order to stop enforcement of the takeover (AP News, WEAR, The Washington Post).
Political Flashpoint and Context
President Trump had invoked Section 740 to justify federalizing the D.C. police and deploying hundreds of National Guard members, citing a surge in violent crime, despite crime statistics showing a decline (Wikipedia, Reuters, AP News).
Local officials, including Mayor Muriel Bowser and MPD Chief Pamela Smith, denounced the federal actions as an unprecedented encroachment on the District’s limited self rule (The Guardian, NBC4 Washington, WEAR).
This conflict is being widely characterized as the gravest threat to D.C.’s Home Rule in decades (Hindustan Times, The Washington Post, AP News).
Why It Matters
- Democratic Norms: The case tests the boundaries of federal power over local governance in the U.S. capital.
- Local Autonomy: It raises questions about who controls public safety and law enforcement in D.C. the federal government or local elected leaders.
- Precedent: A ruling in favor of the District could limit future federal attempts to override local authority in emergencies.
Summary Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Directive Issued | Pam Bondi appoints DEA chief as emergency police commissioner |
| Local Response | A.G. Schwalb sues, seeking to block the takeover via court |
| Legal Basis | Section 740 of Home Rule Act; local authority vs. federal reach |
| Significance | A landmark showdown over governance, authority, and democracy |
This lawsuit underscores the fragile balance between federal authority and local autonomy in Washington, D.C. If you’d like, I can also dig deeper into the court’s proceedings or broader implications for future emergencies and local governance.
