Trump threatens to take over D.C. police again over cops not helping ICE

by · UPI

Sept. 15 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump threatened to take over Washington, D.C., policing again over Mayor Muriel Bowser's refusal to allow officers to cooperate with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents in the district.

In a long Truth Social post, Trump said, "Radical Left Democrats, Mayor Muriel Bowser, who has presided over this violent criminal takeover of our Capital for years, has informed the Federal Government that the Metropolitan Police Department will no longer cooperate with ICE in removing and relocating dangerous illegal aliens. If I allowed this to happen, CRIME would come roaring back. To the people and businesses of Washington, D.C., DON'T WORRY, I AM WITH YOU, AND WON'T ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN. I'll call a National Emergency, and Federalize, if necessary!!! Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!! President DJT"

As the takeover of Washington ended last week, Bowser said that the president's emergency declaration forced her to allow Metropolitan Police Department services for federal purposes.

But, "Immigration enforcement is not what MPD does, and with the end of the emergency, it won't be what MPD does," she said. At the same time, Bowser said federal police officers would remain in the district to "enhance the public safety mission of MPD."

Bowser has voiced concerns about masked ICE agents "terrorizing communities."

"I am devastated by people living in fear," she said last month.

While D.C. police have historically not helped with immigration enforcement, the city has found itself powerless to shield many undocumented immigrants who are arrested from possible deportation.

D.C.'s judicial system is run by local agencies and federal partners.

On Aug. 11, Trump announced that the federal government was taking over policing in the district. The president said he was invoking section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act. Federal agents and the National Guard began patrolling the streets. Since then, the president has threatened other U.S. cities with takeover, though they aren't subject to a Home Rule law like Washington, D.C. The federalization of MPD ended Sept. 10.

On Sept. 4, D.C. District Attorney Brian Schwalb sued Trump over the deployment of the National Guard in the district.

"We are suing to defend D.C. home rule and stop the unlawful deployment of the National Guard," Schwalb said in an X post. "Our nation was founded on the fundamental principles of freedom and self-governance that are stake in this case."

Read More