- A federal judge signaled the Administration must narrow its order naming a federal “emergency police commissioner,” or risk a ruling for the District.
- D.C. officials say MPD leadership remains under Mayor Muriel Bowser and Chief Pamela A. Smith.
- Attorney General Brian Schwalb hailed the hearing as a “win for Home Rule,” while U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a revised directive.
The Big Picture
A federal judge on Friday cautioned that the Justice Department’s directive asserting control over the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) would need to be rewritten to stand, after the District sued to block the move, according to Politico. District leaders said MPD remains under local command and pledged to continue fighting what they describe as an overreach under the Home Rule Act.
What’s New
Mayor Muriel Bowser issued an open letter to residents Friday evening describing “an unsettling and unprecedented week,” and said that “after a day in court and in accordance with Home Rule, Pamela Smith remains our Chief of Police” and in command of MPD’s 3,100 officers. She urged Washingtonians to “stick together” and vowed to defend the city’s limited self-government while schools prepare to open.
D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb said the hearing “upholds the District’s right to operate its own local police force,” and that MPD command remains with Bowser and Chief Pamela A. Smith. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a new directive designating DEA Administrator Terry Cole as her designee to request MPD services to ensure compliance with federal immigration law.
What They’re Saying
Context
The Justice Department named DEA Administrator Terry Cole as “Emergency Police Commissioner,” asserting authority equal to the MPD chief. D.C. officials responded that MPD officers must continue following local command and accused the Administration of exceeding its limited powers under the Home Rule Act. After Friday’s hearing, the judge warned she would side with the District absent revisions clarifying that Cole acts only as the Attorney General’s designee for requesting MPD services, reported by Politico. Bowser said the city is managing an influx of federal officers and working to ensure any deployments are used strategically.
What’s Next
The court is expected to review the Justice Department’s revised directive. The District’s lawsuit challenging the takeover effort continues on an expedited timeline. In the meantime, city leaders say MPD remains under local control while federal agencies coordinate separately on immigration and public safety operations.
The Bottom Line
After a tense week, the court signaled clear limits on federal reach into day-to-day MPD command. The legal fight isn’t over, but D.C. leaders say the framework of Home Rule still stands between the city and a full federal takeover.
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