Overview

• Trump on August 11 invoked the Home Rule Act emergency clause to place DC’s Metropolitan Police under DOJ command and ordered about 800 National Guard soldiers into the city.
• Justice Secretary Pam Bondi designated DEA Administrator Terry Cole as the emergency police chief, requiring the MPD to obtain his approval before issuing directives.
• FBI Director Kash Patel reported that federal law enforcement actions under the takeover resulted in at least 23 arrests for offenses ranging from homicide to public transit fare evasion.
• Brian Schwalb, the District’s attorney general, filed suit on August 15 seeking an injunction to restore local authority and arguing that the takeover exceeds presidential powers.
• The White House plans to ask Congress for a legislative extension beyond the 30-day limit and has suggested using similar federal interventions in other major cities.