Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today filed a lawsuit challenging the federal government’s unlawful attempt to take over the District of Columbia’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The lawsuit targets the President’s August 11 Executive Order and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s August 14 order to Mayor Muriel Bowser invoking a never-before-used provision of the Home Rule Act to claim federal command of the District’s local police force. These orders far exceed the President’s limited authority to request services from MPD, which can only be done on a temporary basis, under emergency circumstances, and solely for federal purposes. The Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) lawsuit seeks to defend the District’s authority under the Home Rule Act, block the Administration’s unlawful orders, protect the safety of DC residents, workers, businesses and visitors, and affirm that MPD remains under District control.

“By declaring a hostile takeover of MPD, the Administration is abusing its limited, temporary authority under the Home Rule Act, infringing on the District’s right to self-governance and putting the safety of DC residents and visitors at risk. The Administration’s unlawful actions are an affront to the dignity and autonomy of the 700,000 Americans who call DC home. This is the gravest threat to Home Rule that the District has ever faced, and we are fighting to stop it.” – AG Schwalb