D.C. Police Force Potentially Faces Federalization Amid Immigration Tensions

Tue Sep 30 2025 08:05:49 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In response to a refusal from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to cooperate with immigration enforcement, President Trump has threatened to federalize the D.C. police force again, raising concerns over local autonomy and community safety.

President Donald Trump has threatened to re-federalize the police force in Washington, D.C., after Mayor Muriel Bowser's refusal to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Trump's earlier emergency order that placed the D.C. police under federal control recently expired, and concerns loom about rising crime rates without collaboration on immigration issues. The mayor's office emphasizes local law enforcement's primary role does not include immigration enforcement, highlighting ongoing tensions surrounding federal intervention in local governance. Meanwhile, Congress is considering new legislation that may limit D.C.'s autonomy, which could further complicate the city's law enforcement approaches.

WASHINGTON (EchoSphere) — In a dramatic turn of events, President Donald Trump has once again threatened to federalize Washington, D.C.'s police force. This comes after city Mayor Muriel Bowser publicly stated she would not cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in their operations within the capital.

Trump's emergency order, which had taken control of the local police force, had recently expired. Just hours before its lapse, Mayor Bowser reiterated that the local police would focus on other federal partnerships, excluding immigration enforcement. In a social media post early Monday, Trump expressed concerns that crime rates might soar if the mayor's refusal leads to a halt in cooperation on immigration issues, suggesting he would call a National Emergency and consider federalization if necessary.

While Mayor Bowser's office opted not to comment on Trump's threat, the White House has remained silent on whether they intend to act on Trump's statements. The previously enacted order that federalized the police was not renewed by Congress and thus lapsed on September 11.

Bowser emphasized in her public remarks on September 10 that immigration enforcement is not a responsibility of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), and she reaffirmed that future operations will keep that principle intact, striving to maintain community trust and focus on local accountability.

Amid these developments, President Trump’s comments reflect his ongoing strategy to tie crime rates to immigration policies while Congress is also discussing a range of proposed bills that could limit D.C.'s local governance, including juvenile justice reforms and restrictions on the council's authority to influence judicial selection.

This entire situation underscores a growing tension between local autonomy in Washington, D.C., and federal oversight, challenging the balance of power established under the home rule agreement of 1973.

As the dynamics evolve, patience will be critical for all stakeholders involved as discussions about public safety and immigration policy continue to shape the future of governance in the nation's capital.