Overview

• The White House invoked Section 740 of the Home Rule Act to place the Metropolitan Police Department under DOJ oversight and activated roughly 800 National Guard members under Title 32 to support law enforcement operations in Washington, D.C.
• Hundreds of federal agents from agencies including the FBI, ATF and DEA joined the Guard on 24-hour patrols starting Wednesday, with officials reporting 43 arrests and the seizure of seven illegal firearms.
• Mayor Muriel Bowser and Police Chief Pamela Smith argue that violent crime has fallen to 30-year lows and are pursuing legal challenges and legislative proposals to prevent any extended federal control.
• Guard units operating under Title 32 status bypass Posse Comitatus restrictions, and federal authorities have begun clearing homeless encampments, prompting civil-liberties groups to warn of potential rights violations.
• The takeover is authorized for 48 hours with a possible extension up to 30 days upon notice to Congress, and any further extension will require direct congressional approval, setting the stage for Capitol debates and court battles.