A federal judge has paused the Trump administration’s attempt to take control of Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department, citing potential legal concerns. The court ordered the Department of Justice and D.C. government to reach an agreement within hours or face a temporary restraining order. The conflict arises from the administration’s decision to appoint Terry Cole, head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, as the interim police chief, which D.C. officials claim is a violation of the Home Rule Act, allowing local residents self-governance. The court’s decision follows a lawsuit by D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, who argued the takeover was unconstitutional. While the immediate control of the police department may remain with the Trump administration, the ruling provides a framework for resolving the dispute through legal channels, with broader questions about the president’s authority to declare a crime emergency in D.C. to be addressed in a future hearing.
Reyes, a Biden appointee, convened the emergency hearing after D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb sued to block the Trump administration’s takeover of D.C.’s law enforcement operations. Schwalb argued the move was unconstitutional and violated the Home Rule Act, a federal law that gives D.C. residents the ability to self-govern. The hearing, which was marked by heightened tensions, saw a range of stakeholders, including federal officials, D.C. officials, and protesters, gathered to voice their positions on the legality of the administration’s actions.
Despite the legal challenges, the Trump administration maintains a strong position. DOJ attorney Yaakov Roth, arguing on behalf of the government, emphasized that the president has