Washington, D.C., Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a lawsuit on Friday against the Trump administration, contesting its recent takeover of the city’s police department. The lawsuit, submitted in U.S. District Court, claims that President Donald Trump’s actions exceed his authority and violate the District's right to self-governance.

The controversy began when Trump signed an executive order on August 12, directing D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to temporarily transfer control of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to federal authorities. The president invoked a provision of the Home Rule Act, a law established in 1973 that outlines the governance of D.C., to justify this move. The order also urged Congress to extend federal control beyond the standard 30-day limit.

Following the executive order, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi instructed the MPD's chief to relinquish authority to U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Terry Cole. However, both Mayor Bowser and Attorney General Schwalb have labeled these actions as unlawful. Schwalb's lawsuit aims to nullify Bondi's directive and prevent any future federal control over the MPD or local law enforcement operations.

The lawsuit names several defendants, including President Trump, Pam Bondi, the Department of Justice, Terry Cole, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service, and its director, Gadyaces Serralta. Schwalb emphasized the necessity of defending Home Rule and preserving local control over the MPD.

Despite official statistics indicating a decline in violent crime in D.C., President Trump has deployed approximately 800 National Guard members to the city, citing rising crime concerns. The Justice Department has declined to comment on the lawsuit, and the White House has not responded to requests for comment.

Schwalb stated, "The administration’s unlawful actions are an affront to the dignity and autonomy of the 700,000 Americans who call D.C. home. This is the gravest threat to Home Rule that the District has ever faced, and we are fighting to stop it."

The legal battle highlights the ongoing tensions between local governance and federal authority, particularly in a city that has its own elected officials since the Home Rule Act was enacted. As the situation develops, the implications for D.C.'s law enforcement and governance remain significant.