Summary
The Trump administration appointed DEA Administrator Terry Cole as the "emergency police commissioner" for Washington, D.C., giving him authority over the city's police department. D.C.'s Attorney General, Brian Schwalb, and Mayor Muriel Bowser questioned the legality of this move, stating there is no law that allows federal officials to take control of local police in this manner during a declared emergency.
Key Facts
- The Trump administration named Terry Cole as the "emergency police commissioner" for Washington, D.C.
- The D.C. police department must get approval from Cole before making any directives.
- D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb stated that this order is unlawful.
- Mayor Muriel Bowser noted there is no legal provision for federal officials to control local police.
- President Trump declared a "crime emergency" in D.C., though crime has been decreasing in recent years.
- Trump has deployed National Guard soldiers and federal officers to D.C.
- The federal control over the D.C. police has a 30-day limit unless Congress extends it.
- The administration plans to use this as a model for tackling crime in other cities.
