August 16, 2025 | 10:42 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Washington, DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb on Friday filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block US President Donald Trump's takeover of the city's Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The legal challenge came hours after US Attorney General Pam Bondi named Drug Enforcement Administration chief Terry Cole as the department's emergency commissioner.
Why Did the Lawsuit Happen Now?
Schwalb said the lawsuit asks the court to rule that Trump's action is illegal.
"The administration's unlawful actions are an affront to the dignity and autonomy of the 700,000 Americans who call DC home," he said. "This is the gravest threat to Home Rule that the District has ever faced, and we are fighting to stop it."
Bondi's directive, issued Thursday night, gives Cole authority over the powers and duties of the police chief. She ordered that the MPD must receive Cole's approval before issuing any directives.
Mayor Muriel Bowser wrote that "there is no statute that conveys the District's personnel authority to a federal official."
It remains unclear how the move affects Police Chief Pamela Smith, who works for the mayor.
Neither Bondi's office nor the White House responded immediately to requests for comment.
What Are the Disputed Directives?
Bondi rescinded several MPD policies, including a recent directive from Smith allowing limited cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
The Justice Department said Bondi opposed the chief's order because it still allowed so-called "sanctuary policies" that restrict local law enforcement's ability to assist in immigration enforcement.
Smith had instructed Metropolitan Police Department officers to share information with immigration agencies about people not in custody, such as those stopped at traffic checks. However, she said other MPD policies remain in place, restricting inquiries into immigration status and prohibiting arrests based solely on federal immigration warrants.
Schwalb told Smith in a memo that "members of MPD must continue to follow your orders and not the orders of any official not appointed by the Mayor.”
How Has Trump’s Takeover Been Enforced?
Trump said Monday he was deploying hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington and temporarily taking over the city's police department to address what he called a crime emergency.
Federal law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Customs and Border Protection have been patrolling streets and making arrests.
Residents have reported a heavy federal presence, with Humvee vehicles positioned at Union Station and National Guard troops at major landmarks.
Editor’s Choice: Trump-Putin Summit Fails to Secure Ukraine Peace Deal
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Trump-Putin Summit Fails to Secure Ukraine Peace Deal
2 jam lalu
The long-awaited summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday failed to produce an agreement to stop Moscow's war in Ukraine.
ICW Files Second Report on Alleged Corruption in Police's Tear Gas Procurement to KPK
16 jam lalu
ICW has previously reported allegations of tear gas corruption in the Indonesian National Police to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in 2024.
India's Modi Seeks 'Self-Reliance' on Independence Day
18 jam lalu
India's Prime Minister vowed to defend the country's agricultural interests, a sticking point in trade negotiations with the U.S.
Independence Day: Police to Deploy 6,072 Personnel to Secure Jakarta Celebrations
1 hari lalu
Polri will deploy 6,072 security personnel for the series of events leading up to the 80th Indonesia Independence Day.
Trump Signs Order to Ease Commercial Spaceflight Regulations
1 hari lalu
The move is set to remove "inefficient" regulations for private space ventures. It could also benefit Trump's former ally and advisor Elon Musk.
Trump Warns Putin: Heavy Consequences if Ukraine Peace Is Obstructed
1 hari lalu
President Donald Trump threatens heavy sanctions on Russia if Putin refuses to make peace with Ukraine.
Pati Protest: Police Fire Tear Gas at Mosque and Ambulance
2 hari lalu
Police fire tear gas at protesters demanding the resignation of Regent Sudewo in Pati, causing unrest and hospitalizing dozens.
Here Are the Victims in the Protest Demanding Pati Regent to Step Down
2 hari lalu
The details of victims treated as a result of the protest demanding the resignation of Pati Regent are five protesters and two police officers.
European Leaders Urge Trump to Assert Support for Ukraine in Meeting with Putin
2 hari lalu
European countries press Trump to assert support for Ukraine and maintain European security in meeting with Putin in Alaska.
Trump to Attend Virtual Meeting with Ukraine's Zelensky Ahead Alaska Talks
2 hari lalu
President Trump will attend a virtual meeting with President Zelensky of Ukraine and a number of European leaders on Wednesday, August 13, 2025
