They claim Bondi used a never-before-used provision of the Home Rule Act to assert federal command over D.C's police force, exceeding the limited authority the president has under the emergency order.
Bondi issued an order Thursday evening formally codifying the federal government's takeover of the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department and designating the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration Terry Cole as "Emergency Police Commissioner."
The lawsuit asks the court to declare that the administration's actions are in violation of the Home Rule Act, the Administrative Procedure Act and the U.S. Constitution. The city is also asking to block Bondi's order, and allow control over the police agency to remain with the mayor.
Schwalb said, "By declaring a hostile takeover of MPD, the Administration is abusing its limited, temporary authority under the Home Rule Act, infringing on the District's right to self-governance and putting the safety of DC residents and visitors at risk."
"The Administration's unlawful actions are an affront to the dignity and autonomy of the 700,000 Americans who call D.C. home. This is the gravest threat to Home Rule that the District has ever faced, and we are fighting to stop it," he added.
