Who’s in Charge? Legal Battle Erupts Over Federal Control of D.C. Police

By Staff Reporter | Somerset-Pulaski Advocate

Image Source: Andrew Leyden/Getty Images)

Washington, D.C. (SPA)— Federal Takeover of D.C. Police Sparks Legal and Political Battle. In an unprecedented move to assume control of the District of Columbia’s police force, the federal government has ignited a fierce legal and political struggle over public safety, civil liberties, and the limits of federal authority in the nation’s capital.

At the start of the week, city officials cautiously described the federal action as an opportunity for collaboration. By Friday, however, the District had filed suit against the administration, calling the installation of an “emergency police commissioner” unlawful and dangerous. The lawsuit challenges an order issued by Attorney General Pam Bondi granting Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) head Terry Cole the full powers of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) chief, a role traditionally accountable to the mayor.

MPD Chief Pamela A. Smith, who initially downplayed the development, warned in a sworn court declaration that the order would “upend the command structure of MPD, endangering the safety of the public and law enforcement officers alike.” Smith stressed that confusion over who holds command authority would “wreak operational havoc” within a paramilitary organization that relies on a transparent chain of command.

Bondi’s directive also compels MPD to prioritize federal objectives, including immigration enforcement and the clearing of homeless encampments, both of which conflict with longstanding local policies. Late Friday, Bondi confirmed via social media that MPD would “fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities,” emphasizing that the president retains authority to define law enforcement priorities in Washington.

Cole, in his first public address to MPD officers, sought to reassure them that “the chain of command is still in place” and urged compliance with lawful orders. Yet residents reported a marked increase in enforcement actions across the city. More than 1,700 federal and local officers carried out joint operations this week, including traffic checkpoints where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents questioned motorists, the dismantling of encampments near Washington Circle, and immigration-related arrests that disrupted community events.

Bondi announced 189 arrests since the takeover, including 75 conducted by ICE. While federal officials portrayed these figures as evidence of progress, critics noted that the intensified focus on immigration enforcement has diverted attention from violent crime. For example, no federal agents were present at the city’s 100th homicide of the year, which occurred near the site of killings cited by Trump to justify the federal intervention.

Civil rights advocates have expressed alarm over the expansion of federal authority. The American Civil Liberties Union of D.C. emphasized that residents maintain the right to remain silent and may refuse warrantless searches. However, they cautioned that federal agencies operate under broader powers with fewer accountability mechanisms, raising concerns about constitutional protections.

The administration has deployed not only federal law enforcement agencies — including ICE, the FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations — but also National Guard troops. However, Pentagon officials stated that Guard members would not directly engage in policing. The overlapping jurisdictions and ambiguous authority have fueled public unease and sparked warnings from commentators who see the measures as a step toward authoritarian policing.

The legal challenge now rests with U.S. District Judge Reyes, who is expected to rule next week on whether the president can compel MPD officers to enforce immigration laws. In the meantime, both federal and local forces continue to patrol Washington, leaving residents and law enforcement alike navigating a contested command structure in the capital.

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