Reuters
Following an emergency court hearing, the Trump administration has revoked an order that replaced the police chief for the District of Columbia.
Pamela Smith, the police chief of Washington, D.C., will continue to lead the force following a lawsuit filed by the city against the U.S. Attorney General for designating the DEA chief as the "emergency police commissioner" for the area.
A judge was requested in the case to nullify Bondi's directive and prevent the head of the DEA from assuming any command role within the force.
Following the hearing, the Justice Department decided to remove the head of the DEA from his position as emergency police chief. It issued a new order designating him as a liaison between the police and the administration.
His "expectation is the key issue concerning control and command of our MPD has been resolved," stated Brian Schwalb, the city's attorney general.
According to Judge Ana Reyes, Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser is required to comply with White House orders under the law that the Trump administration utilized to assume control of the police force.
However, she asserted that it does not give the government complete command over the police.
In addition, the new order requires the mayor's office to work with federal immigration and "unlawful occupancy of public spaces" enforcement.
Arguments over immigration policy will resume next week, according to both parties.
Bondi said in a statement Friday night that the government is still "committed to working closely with Mayor Bowser" and accused Schwalb of continuing "to oppose our efforts to improve public safety" in the city.
On Monday, President Donald Trump announced he will clamp down on crime in Washington by using federal law enforcement.
Citing the Home Rule Act of the 1970s, which permits him to use MPD for "federal purposes" that he "may deem necessary and appropriate," he has since dispatched hundreds of National Guard members and other federal agents to clear homeless encampments, operate checkpoints, and otherwise support law enforcement.
Bondi issued an order late Thursday stating that Terry Cole, the DEA Administrator, would take over "all of the powers and duties" of Pamela Smith, the local Police Chief. According to the order, the chief "must receive approval from Commissioner Cole before issuing any further directives to the MPD".
Mayor Bowser and Schwalb retaliated almost immediately, calling the order "unlawful" and informing Chief Smith that she was not required to obey it.
"If implemented, the Bondi Order would completely alter MPD's command structure, putting both public and law enforcement officers' safety at risk," Smith stated in a declaration submitted to the lawsuit on Friday.
"In my nearly three decades in law enforcement, I have never seen a single government action that would cause a greater threat to law and order than this dangerous directive."
Over the past few days, drivers have been stopped on a well-traveled nightlife corridor, and armored vehicles have gathered near landmarks and other tourist destinations. The national park system's police force has flown through the skies in helicopters. Officials anticipate that 500 federal law enforcement officers, including FBI agents, and 800 troops will be sent to the district overall.
According to Democrat Bowser, Trump's action is an "authoritarian pus," and there is no emergency.
Although the government has attempted to become involved in DC policing in the past, Trump is supposedly the first president to federalize the MPD.
During a period of persistently high crack cocaine criminality in 1989, then-President George H.W. Bush sent about 200 National Guard troops to assist local police, under the condition that they not patrol the streets.
Following the attack on January 6, 2021, and before that, in response to the 2020 demonstrations after George Floyd's death, the National Guard was dispatched to guard the capital.
On Friday, Bondi reported on X that 39 of the 189 arrests made by federal officers were for gun-related charges.
Although the government has attempted to become involved in DC policing in the past, Trump is supposedly the first president to federalize the MPD.
During a period of persistently high crack cocaine criminality in 1989, then-President George H.W. Bush sent about 200 National Guard troops to assist local police, under the condition that they not patrol the streets.
Following the attack on January 6, 2021, and before that, in response to the 2020 demonstrations after George Floyd's death, the National Guard was dispatched to guard the capital.
On Friday, Bondi reported on X that 39 of the 189 arrests made by federal officers were for gun-related charges.
In an attempt to calm demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement's deportation sweeps, Trump has also sent National Guard troops to Los Angeles since assuming office.
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