Attorney General Pam Bondi has rescinded Washington, D.C.’s sanctuary city protections and stripped authority from the police chief, transferring operational control to a federally appointed commissioner.
At a Glance
- DEA Administrator Terry Cole assumes all powers of DC’s police chief under emergency order
- Sanctuary city policies rescinded, requiring full cooperation with ICE
- DC mayor and attorney general challenge federal action as unlawful
- Lawsuit filed seeking emergency restraining order against takeover
- Move marks one of the largest federal interventions in DC governance in decades
Emergency Order and Leadership Shift
Attorney General Pam Bondi issued an emergency directive removing key powers from Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith. All operational authority is now vested in Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Terry Cole, who will serve as “emergency police commissioner” for the duration of the declared crime emergency. Cole will have the sole authority to issue department orders, with MPD leadership required to seek his approval for any operational changes.
The order also rescinds sanctuary city protections in place across the district. This compels local police to cooperate fully with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, including sharing arrest data and honoring federal detainer requests.
The policy shift follows a series of high-profile violent incidents and an increase in reported homicides over the past six months. Federal officials say the changes are needed to address what they call an “emergency threat to public safety.”
Local Pushback and Legal Challenge
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Attorney General Brian Schwalb have rejected Bondi’s order, calling it an overreach that violates the Home Rule Act of 1973. That legislation grants Washington, D.C. limited self-governance, including control over its police force. Schwalb’s office has filed a lawsuit seeking an emergency restraining order to block the takeover.
Local officials argue that sanctuary policies protect community trust and that forcing local police into immigration enforcement duties could discourage cooperation from immigrant residents. The suit further claims that federal authorities have not met the legal threshold to declare such an emergency.
Broader Implications
The dispute highlights the long-standing tension between local autonomy in Washington, D.C., and the federal government’s unique constitutional authority over the district. Legal experts note that this case could set precedent for the scope of federal intervention in local policing, particularly in the context of immigration enforcement.
Observers are also watching closely for potential impacts beyond the capital. If the courts uphold Bondi’s directive, it could embolden similar federal interventions in other jurisdictions with sanctuary policies. Conversely, a ruling in favor of the district could reinforce local control even in politically charged areas of law enforcement.
For now, federal agents and local police operate under the newly centralized chain of command, while the courts weigh the legality of this sweeping shift in authority.
