Global Ganja Report

The District of Columbia filed a lawsuit Aug. 15 challenging President Donald Trump's emergency order placing the city’s police department under federal control. Four days earlier, the Trump administration had declared a crime emergency in the nation's capital, and announced the federal takeover of the force. Trump invoked his emergency powers under Section 740 of the DC Home Rule Act, which grants the president authority over local police during "special conditions of an emergency nature."

On Aug. 14, US Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a directive ordering "the Mayor of the District of Columbia and the [DC police] to immediately implement" mandated federal provisions. The order appoints Drug Enforcement Administration head Terry Cole as emergency police commissioner, vesting him with all of the powers and duties of the office, and rescinds several DC police policies, including "sanctuary city" protections.

In a complaint filed with the US Federal District Court for the District of Columbia, DC Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb argued the Trump administration exceeded its legal authority and violated constitutional principles of local self-governance.

In a statement, Schwalb said:

By declaring a hostile takeover of MPD [Metropolitan Police Department], 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.

DC seeks to have the federal takeover declared unlawful and to restore local control over its police force.

From JURIST, Aug. 15. Used with permission.
 

Graphic: DRCNet


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