Related Article: AP News Summary at 10:32 p.m. EDT - bakersfield.com - Thursday, August 14, 2025, 10:57:05 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Target: Attorney General Pam Bondi, President Donald Trump, and the Department of Justice
Goal: Reinstate the powers and duties of the District of Columbia Chief of Police and withdraw federal law enforcement from local policing in Washington, D.C.
The Trump administration's decision to grant the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration the powers of Washington, D.C.'s Chief of Police is a troubling escalation of federal control over local law enforcement. This move strips D.C. residents of their right to self-governance and undermines the accountability and trust that are critical to effective policing.
Federal troops and law enforcement have flooded the city, creating an atmosphere of fear and tension. These actions not only disregard the will of D.C.'s elected officials but also threaten the safety and rights of local communities, particularly marginalized and vulnerable residents. Volunteers have been forced to help homeless residents leave encampments, further highlighting the disruption caused by this federal intervention.
We demand the immediate restoration of local control over policing in Washington, D.C., and a commitment to respecting the autonomy and civil rights of its residents. The people of D.C. deserve to have their voices heard and their leaders in charge of public safety decisions.