Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a lawsuit on Aug. 15 against the Trump administration to challenge the federal government’s attempted takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The legal battle continues to develop as experts report that the legal fight raises potential public safety dangers and constitutional questions.
The Trump administration, in the midst of the battle, rescinded an order replacing the District of Columbia’s police chief after an emergency court hearing. Washington, D.C., Police Chief Pamela Smith will retain control of the force after the city sued Attorney General Pam Bondi, according to AP News.
Trump declared on Aug. 11 that he planned to use federal law enforcement to crack down on crime in the District of Columbia. He has since deployed roughly 2,000 National Guard troops along with other federal agents to run checkpoints around the nation’s capital, clear homeless encampments and yield weapons. Almost immediately, Mayor Bowser and Schwalb sued the federal government, claiming the order to be unlawful.
If effectuated completely, the order would have a vast impact on the precedence of law and police enforcement in the city going forward.
“The Metropolitan Police Department remains committed to delivering high-quality police service to the residents and visitors of the District of Columbia, working in close collaboration with our federal partners,” the department said in a statement.
Trump has claimed that the takeover is working saying on Truth Social, “The crowds are coming back and the spirit is high while the National Guard and police are doing their job. They are out in force, and not playing games.”
On Aug. 21, Trump visited military personnel and law enforcement, including the National Guard, in the U.S. Park Police Anacostia Operations Facility in southeast Washington, D.C.
Students at Howard University will have to navigate the city with more police presence, National Guard patrols, and security checkpoints following President Trump’s takeover of the D.C. police force.
O’Tavia Berridge, a first year criminology major said she has had to move around the city with more vigilance.
“I was walking with two friends to CVS nearby Florida Avenue, when we saw what appeared to be National Guard police cops,” Berridge said.
Encounters of police enforcement among the streets of D.C. has become a growing occurrence that citizens and locals have reported to witness.
“It got tense and we started walking straighter, more proper, made sure quicker as possible. I just don’t really feel safe,” Berridge said.
Copy edited by Damenica Ellis