Washington, D.C. Files Lawsuit Against Trump Administration Over Federal Police Takeover

Washington, D.C., August 15, 2025 – The District of Columbia has launched a legal challenge against the Trump administration’s move to place the city’s police department under federal control, escalating tensions between local authorities and the federal government. The lawsuit, filed today, accuses the administration of overstepping its authority in what D.C. officials call an “unprecedented, unnecessary, and unlawful” takeover.

According to the Associated Press, the lawsuit comes in response to the Trump administration’s efforts to intensify control over the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, a move that follows President Trump’s deployment of 800 National Guard troops to the capital. The federalization of the police was justified by the administration citing a declared crime emergency in the city.

Reuters reported on August 11, 2025, that President Trump announced the federal takeover, stating it was a model for other cities to follow. “Other cities are hopefully watching,” Trump said, as he deployed National Guard troops to bolster security measures in Washington, D.C. The administration’s actions have sparked significant backlash from local officials, with D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb condemning the move as a violation of the city’s autonomy.

The lawsuit argues that the federal takeover undermines D.C.’s local governance and violates legal boundaries. Sources close to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser indicate that her legal team has expressed concerns about the city’s limited grounds to challenge the federalization due to the declared emergency, which complicates the legal battle. Despite this, the city is moving forward with the suit, seeking to restore local control over its police force.

The AP further noted that the lawsuit reflects broader concerns about the erosion of D.C.’s self-governance, a recurring issue in the District’s relationship with the federal government. The administration’s actions have been described as a crackdown, with the deployment of federal forces intensifying scrutiny over the balance of power in the nation’s capital.

As the legal battle unfolds, the outcome could set a significant precedent for federal-local relations and the autonomy of municipal police forces across the United States. Neither the Trump administration nor the Justice Department has issued an immediate response to the lawsuit.