D.C. officials are in court to stop the Trump administration from replacing the city’s police chief with a federal appointee.
District leaders are suing the federal government after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi named DEA chief Terry Cole as D.C.’s “emergency police commissioner,” replacing Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith.
Filed Friday, the suit claims President Donald Trump exceeded his authority under the Home Rule Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Constitution.
“By declaring a hostile takeover of MPD, the Administration is abusing its limited authority… and putting the safety of DC residents and visitors at risk,” Schwalb said.
Bondi’s order grants Cole full police chief powers and rescinds key MPD policies, including the code of conduct and rules on arrest warrants.
Smith warned in court filings that the directive would “wreak operational havoc” and cause confusion in the chain of command. Mayor Muriel Bowser argued no statute allows personnel control to be transferred to a federal official. A U.S. District Court hearing on the temporary restraining order is set for 2 p.m. Friday.