DC reaches settlement with Trump admin over police takeover lawsuit

[ad_1] DC attorney general sues to block police takeover Justice correspondent David Spunt joins 'America's Newsroom' to debate the Washington, D.C. Lawyer Common’s effort to dam President Donald Trump’s federal takeover of native police. 'Fox Information Sunday' anchor Shannon Bream additionally weighs in.

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The nation’s capital reached an settlement with President Donald Trump’s administration after suing over federal authorities’ takeover of the town’s police power.

The choice got here on Friday afternoon, hours after the Trump administration named DEA chief Terry Cole as the brand new emergency head of the Metropolitan Police Division (MPD).

In the end, either side agreed to dam Cole from assuming the position, whereas successfully returning the division to Police Chief Pamela Smith. Cole is now required to undergo Mayor Murial Bowser earlier than directing the MPD.

DC SUES TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER 'UNLAWFUL' FEDERAL TAKEOVER

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters within the James Brady Press Briefing Room on the White Home, on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, in Washington as from left, Secretary of the Inside Doug Burgum, Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth, Lawyer Common Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, look on. (AP/Alex Brandon)

Below the settlement, the Trump administration retains management of the police power.

"In my almost three a long time in regulation enforcement, I've by no means seen a single authorities motion that will trigger a higher menace to regulation and order than this harmful directive," Smith mentioned in a court docket submitting.

The courtroom showdown was sparked by Trump’s deployment of federal authorities inside Washington D.C., with the town in the end asking for a short lived restraining order blocking an government order aimed toward taking up the native police power.

AG SHOWDOWN: DC ATTORNEY GENERAL REJECTS US ATTORNEY GENERAL PAM BONDI ORDER AS 'UNLAWFUL'

U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Metropolitan Police Division (MPD) conduct a site visitors cease close to the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. on August 14, 2025. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Pictures)

Yaakov Roth, an legal professional for the Trump administration, argued in court docket that the choice to take away Smith from her publish was a results of an immigration order that uncared for to supply monetary assist to federal authorities, whereas claiming the flexibility to find out what sort of assist the MPD should present is inside presidential authority.

U.S. District Decide Ana Reyes, a Biden appointee, beforehand indicated the regulation doesn't permit Trump to broadly take over the town’s police force , however conceded it might grant him extra energy than the town would really like.

"The best way I learn the statute, the president can ask, the mayor should present, however the president can’t management," Reyes mentioned.

DC’S SOFT-ON-CRIME LEADERS LET TEENS RUN WILD, OPENED DOOR FOR TRUMP TAKEOVER: POLICE GROUP

U.S. navy members stroll close to the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., August 14, 2025. (REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez)

Nevertheless, District of Columbia Lawyer Common Brian Schwalb wrote in court docket filings that the transfer threatens to "wreak operational havoc," whereas arguing the president’s energy is proscribed to mandating that the mayor make the most of the police power for federal functions.

Schwalb and the Division of Justice didn't instantly reply to Fox Information Digital's request for remark.

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Trump is the primary president to make the most of management over the capital’s police division because the Residence Rule Act was signed in 1973, granting the town the flexibility to elect its personal metropolis council and mayor. The regulation limits a president’s management to 30 days with out congressional approval, which Trump has indicated he'll search to increase.

The Related Press contributed to this report.

Julia Bonavita is a U.S. Author for Fox Information Digital and a Fox Flight Workforce drone pilot. You'll be able to comply with her at @juliabonavita13 on all platforms and ship story tricks to julia.bonavita@fox.com.