Federal police powers take hold in DC

Attorney General Bondi directs the DEA to assume police chief powers in DC, signaling a broader federal role in local policing.

Trump Administration Expands Federal Control in Washington

The Trump administration named the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration as emergency police commissioner for Washington, granting him the powers of the DC police chief. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a directive stating that Terry Cole will have those powers and that the Metropolitan Police Department must receive approval from Cole before issuing orders. It remains unclear how this shifts day to day policing and what role the mayoral office will play.

The move tests the balance between local democracy and federal power in the nations capital. It could chill independent policing decisions and widen the role of the federal government in city life. The directive also expands the federal footprint in immigration enforcement and public safety, a shift that some residents may view as overreach. Critics fear budget questions and legal challenges could follow, while supporters argue the measure brings order to a volatile moment.

Highlights

The coming days will reveal how far federal power will push into urban governance.