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| Washington DC sues federal government over police takeover | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| DC Mayor Bowser has called Bondi's order unlawful | DC Mayor Bowser has called Bondi's order unlawful |
| Washington DC is suing the federal government over its takeover of the police force, after US Attorney General Pam Bondi named the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as the district's "emergency police commissioner". | Washington DC is suing the federal government over its takeover of the police force, after US Attorney General Pam Bondi named the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as the district's "emergency police commissioner". |
| The city's attorney general, Brian Schwalb, wrote on X that the US government had illegally declared a takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and was "abusing its temporary, limited authority under the law". | The city's attorney general, Brian Schwalb, wrote on X that the US government had illegally declared a takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and was "abusing its temporary, limited authority under the law". |
| The lawsuit asks a judge to void Bondi's order and stop the DEA head from "assuming any position of command within MPD". | The lawsuit asks a judge to void Bondi's order and stop the DEA head from "assuming any position of command within MPD". |
| President Donald Trump on Monday declared he would use federal law enforcement to crack down on crime in Washington. | President Donald Trump on Monday declared he would use federal law enforcement to crack down on crime in Washington. |
| He has since sent in hundreds of National Guard members and other federal agents to clear homeless encampments, run checkpoints and otherwise bolster law enforcement, citing a 1970s law known as the Home Rule Act that allows him to use MPD for "federal purposes" that he "may deem necessary and appropriate." | He has since sent in hundreds of National Guard members and other federal agents to clear homeless encampments, run checkpoints and otherwise bolster law enforcement, citing a 1970s law known as the Home Rule Act that allows him to use MPD for "federal purposes" that he "may deem necessary and appropriate." |
| The US Justice Department told the BBC it had no comment on the lawsuit. The case has been assigned to Judge Ana Reyes, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden. A hearing has yet to be set for the case. | The US Justice Department told the BBC it had no comment on the lawsuit. The case has been assigned to Judge Ana Reyes, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden. A hearing has yet to be set for the case. |
| Late Thursday, Bondi wrote in an order that DEA Administrator Terry Cole would assume "all of the powers and duties" of local Police Chief Pamela Smith. The chief "must receive approval from Commissioner Cole before issuing any further directives to the MPD", according to the order. | Late Thursday, Bondi wrote in an order that DEA Administrator Terry Cole would assume "all of the powers and duties" of local Police Chief Pamela Smith. The chief "must receive approval from Commissioner Cole before issuing any further directives to the MPD", according to the order. |
| Almost immediately, Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and Schwalb struck back, saying the order was "unlawful" and telling Smith she did not have to follow it. | Almost immediately, Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and Schwalb struck back, saying the order was "unlawful" and telling Smith she did not have to follow it. |
| In the last few days, armoured vehicles have lined up near monuments and other tourist sites, and drivers have been stopped on a popular nightlife corridor. Officials have said that, altogether, 800 troops are expected to be deployed to the district, as well as 500 federal law enforcement agents, such as the FBI. | In the last few days, armoured vehicles have lined up near monuments and other tourist sites, and drivers have been stopped on a popular nightlife corridor. Officials have said that, altogether, 800 troops are expected to be deployed to the district, as well as 500 federal law enforcement agents, such as the FBI. |
| Bowser, a Democrat, has said there is no emergency and Trump's "unnecessary and unprecedented" move is an "authoritarian push". | Bowser, a Democrat, has said there is no emergency and Trump's "unnecessary and unprecedented" move is an "authoritarian push". |
| Trump is reportedly the first president to federalise the MPD, but the government has sought to intervene in DC policing before. | Trump is reportedly the first president to federalise the MPD, but the government has sought to intervene in DC policing before. |
| In 1989, then President George HW Bush provided around 200 National Guard troops to support local police during a period of chronically high crime involving crack cocaine, with the understanding they would not patrol the streets. | In 1989, then President George HW Bush provided around 200 National Guard troops to support local police during a period of chronically high crime involving crack cocaine, with the understanding they would not patrol the streets. |
| More recently, the National Guard was sent to protect the capitol after the 6 January 2021 attack and, before that, in response to the 2020 protests following the killing of George Floyd. | More recently, the National Guard was sent to protect the capitol after the 6 January 2021 attack and, before that, in response to the 2020 protests following the killing of George Floyd. |
| Speaking on Fox News Channel's Hannity on Thursday to announce her appointment of Cole, Bondi said federal officers had made 156 arrests and seized 27 firearms this week. | Speaking on Fox News Channel's Hannity on Thursday to announce her appointment of Cole, Bondi said federal officers had made 156 arrests and seized 27 firearms this week. |
| Trump has said crime has worsened in Washington DC, but analysis by BBC Verify suggests a different trend. | Trump has said crime has worsened in Washington DC, but analysis by BBC Verify suggests a different trend. |
| Violent offences fell after peaking in 2023, and in 2024, they hit their lowest level in 30 years, according to figures published by DC police. | Violent offences fell after peaking in 2023, and in 2024, they hit their lowest level in 30 years, according to figures published by DC police. |
| They are continuing to fall, preliminary data for 2025 suggests. | They are continuing to fall, preliminary data for 2025 suggests. |
| Violent crime overall has fallen 26% this year compared to the same point in 2024, and robbery is down 28%, according to the police department. | Violent crime overall has fallen 26% this year compared to the same point in 2024, and robbery is down 28%, according to the police department. |
| Since taking office, Trump has also deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles in an effort to quell protests over deportation raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. | Since taking office, Trump has also deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles in an effort to quell protests over deportation raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. |