The Trump administration reversed course Friday on its unprecedented federal takeover of Washington, D.C.’s police force, allowing Police Chief Pamela Smith to remain in charge. However, Attorney General Pam Bondi simultaneously issued a directive requiring the department to fully cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, despite the city’s sanctuary laws.
This shift came hours after the District sued to block the administration’s efforts to place the police under federal control. A U.S. District Court judge signaled skepticism over the legality of Trump’s attempted takeover, urging both sides to seek compromise.
Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a two-page order rescinding illegal immigration protections in Washington, D.C., and appointing DEA Administrator Terry Cole as the city’s “emergency police commissioner.” pic.twitter.com/uz7DZMglsy
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 15, 2025
While Bondi retreated from naming DEA official Terry Cole as the department head, she reaffirmed the administration’s push to force D.C. police into aiding immigration crackdowns.
Mayor Muriel Bowser condemned the week’s events in a letter to residents, calling it an “unprecedented test” of D.C.’s limited self-governance. The Trump administration cited a 1973 law granting the president special authority over D.C., but Judge Ana Reyes noted that while the president can request help, he cannot outright control city police.
Immigration advocates reported a stark increase in federal activity across the city, with roving ICE patrols and widespread arrests. Civil rights groups warned immigrants to exercise caution, and legal nonprofits were flooded with inquiries.
Friday night, dozens of federal agencies flooded D.C.’s streets as protests erupted near police headquarters. Though Chief Smith had agreed to limited immigration data sharing, Bondi’s memo called that inadequate, setting the stage for further legal and political clashes over local autonomy and immigration policy.
