A legal showdown between Washington D.C. and the Trump administration has reached a resolution through a compromise agreement. The city and the federal government have agreed to block DEA chief Terry Cole from assuming the role of interim Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) head, while preserving Police Chief Pamela Smith’s leadership structure. President Donald Trump’s administration had previously named Cole as the emergency head of the MPD, sparking a legal challenge from the city. The agreement allows Cole to be considered for the role but requires him to seek approval from Mayor Muriel Bowser before directing the MPD, while Bowser remains obligated to comply with Cole’s requests. The resolution effectively prevents a full federal takeover of the city’s police force, maintaining its existing leadership structure while granting the Trump administration limited oversight.
The legal dispute originated when Trump’s administration deployed federal law enforcement to Washington D.C., prompting the city to file a lawsuit over what it deemed an ‘unlawful’ federal takeover. The city argued that the president’s authority to direct the police force was limited by the Home Rule Act, which was signed in 1973. Under this law, the federal government may only exercise control over the city’s police force for 30 days without congressional approval. Trump has indicated his intent to extend this control, citing the potential to bolster law and order through federal oversight. The compromise ensures that while Trump’s administration retains influence over the police force, the city’s leadership structure remains intact. The resolution was finalized after a protracted legal battle, with U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, a Biden appointee, emphasizing that the president’s authority is constrained by the law but could grant him more power than the city would prefer.
In a court filing, Police Chief Pamela Smith expressed concern over the potential threat to law and order, arguing that the decision to remove her from her position was part of an immigration order that neglected to provide financial aid to federal authorities. Smith contended that the president’s ability to dictate the type of assistance the MPD must provide falls within presidential authority. In response, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb argued that the move would ‘wreak operational havoc’ on the city’s police force and that the president’s power is limited to mandating the mayor to use the police force for federal purposes. The dispute underscores the tension between federal and local authority over law enforcement in Washington D.C., with the compromise offering a middle ground that preserves local leadership while allowing limited federal oversight.
The compromise was reached hours after the Trump administration issued a revised order that referred to Cole as his official title under the DEA – Administrator Cole – instead of Interim Commissioner. The agreement blocks Cole from assuming control of the MPD, while allowing for his involvement in the department’s operations through a more limited role. Despite the legal resolution, the controversy over federal control of the police force remains a contentious issue, with the potential for further legal challenges. The incident highlights the broader implications of presidential authority over local law enforcement and the ongoing debate over the balance of power between the federal government and municipalities. As Trump continues to seek extensions of his control over the city’s police force, the compromise provides a temporary solution, but the long-term implications for federal oversight remain uncertain.