Senators Kim, Peters Demand Answers on Trump’s Federalization of D.C. Police and Questionable Use of Emergency Powers

WASHINGTON, D.C.–Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ),Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee with oversight over the municipal affairs of the District of Columbia, andGary Peters (D-MI),Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee have sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Secretaries of the Departments of Interior, Defense, and Homeland Security, raising serious concerns about President Trump’s August 11 invocation of Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act. The law allows the President to direct the D.C. Mayor to provide local police support in emergency circumstances, but the Senators raised concerns with both the justification and underlying claims for President Trump’s unprecedented action.
“We have serious doubts about the effectiveness of the Trump Administration’s policies towards public safety in Washington, D.C.,”wrote the Senators.“We also have concerns about the President’s abuse of emergency powers.”
Text of the Full Letter (PDF)
The senators questioned the basis for declaring a “crime emergency” in Washington, D.C., noting that violent crime has dropped 35% since 2023, according to Department of Justice data. Despite this, the President claimed crime was “getting worse,” and used that claim to justify mobilizing the D.C. National Guard and bringing in federal agents from multiple agencies.
The letter also raised concerns about the appointment of DEA Administrator Terrence Cole as MPD’s “Emergency Police Commissioner,” a role not authorized under Section 740. Although the order was later revised after legal action from D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, the senators warned that the administration may still try to extend control beyond the 30-day legal limit and apply similar tactics elsewhere.
There is no debate that crime at any level is unacceptable and must be taken seriously. However, the lawmakers pointed to broader signs that the Trump administration is playing politics with public safety rather than taking crime seriously. Despite repeated calls for action, the administration has failed to nominate D.C. judges to fill critical vacancies and refused to reinstate over $1 billion in D.C.’s own funding—resources that could be used to support local law enforcement and community-based crime prevention through the appropriations process.
The lawmakers requested detailed responses by September 3, including information on the duration of federal control, legal authority for extended deployment, coordination between agencies, cost of operations, and the impact of federal law enforcement in the city.

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