Bondi Strengthens Crime Crackdown After DC Officials Defy Trump Orders [WATCH]

Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a new directive Friday evening requiring the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in Washington, D.C., to cooperate fully with federal immigration authorities, escalating the Trump administration’s federal takeover of the city.

The order compels the MPD to work “fully and completely” with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies, reversing the city’s long-standing sanctuary policies.

I have just issued a new directive to Mayor Bowser requiring MPD to provide the services found necessary by my designee, @DEAHQ Administrator Terry Cole, to comply fully and completely with federal immigration law and authorities, regardless of any policies MPD might otherwise…

— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) August 15, 2025

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It follows Bondi’s earlier anti-sanctuary directive on Thursday, which had already triggered pushback from D.C. officials.

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“Today’s order is even STRONGER than yesterday’s order because instead of requiring DC to rescind just one MDP order, [Bondi] has now REQUIRED full cooperation with federal immigration authorities,” Department of Justice spokesperson Chad Gilmartin said in a statement.

“We are NOT backing down. As required by law, DC’s Police Chief ‘shall provide’ services [President Donald Trump] may deem ‘necessary & appropriate.’”

Today’s order is even STRONGER than yesterday’s order because instead of requiring DC to rescind just one MDP order, @AGPamBondi has now REQUIRED full cooperation with federal immigration authorities

MAKE DC SAFE AGAIN! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/ssaObfKq12

— Chad Gilmartin (@ChadGilmartinCA) August 15, 2025

Bondi’s Thursday order placed Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) administrator Terry Cole in charge of the MPD and rescinded multiple directives that had limited cooperation with ICE.

That move was immediately challenged by city leadership.

Democratic D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb sent a letter to MPD Chief Pamela Smith urging her to ignore the order.

“It is my opinion that the Bondi order is unlawful, and that you are not legally obligated to follow it,” Schwalb wrote.

“Having been duly appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council, you are the lawfully appointed Chief of Police of the District of Columbia. Therefore, members of MPD must continue to follow your orders and not the orders of any official not appointed by the Mayor.”

Let us be clear about what the law requires during a Presidential declared emergency: it requires the mayor of Washington, DC to provide the services of the Metropolitan Police Department for federal purposes at the request of the President.

We have followed the law.

In… pic.twitter.com/XfaNqLalFU

— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) August 15, 2025

The updated Friday directive does not place Cole at the head of MPD, but it significantly broadens the mandate by requiring full participation by the city’s police force in immigration enforcement operations.

The Trump administration’s push comes amid a wider federal effort to address violent crime and illegal immigration in the nation’s capital.

In recent days, hundreds of National Guard troops and additional federal law enforcement officers have been deployed to Washington, D.C.

According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the operations have already produced measurable results.

On Wednesday, MPD and federal agents conducted a joint operation that led to 45 arrests, including 29 illegal aliens.

Despite these developments, D.C. leadership has continued to resist. On Friday, Schwalb filed a lawsuit challenging the federal takeover of MPD, accusing the Trump administration of violating the city’s “home rule” provisions.

Mayor Muriel Bowser has also spoken out against the moves, aligning with Schwalb in opposition to the administration’s directives.

Bondi defended the new order in her Friday night announcement and criticized Schwalb’s position.

“Unfortunately, the DC Attorney General continues to oppose our efforts to improve public safety in Washington, DC,” Bondi said in a statement.

“It is important to note that this same DC Attorney General is responsible for failing to enforce consequences for dangerous juvenile offenders.”

The legal clash over authority in the nation’s capital adds another layer to the ongoing dispute between the Trump administration and Democratic city leaders.

While Bondi has emphasized the need for federal-local cooperation in combating crime and enforcing immigration laws, D.C. officials argue that the measures undermine local autonomy.

The outcome of Schwalb’s lawsuit and the federal government’s enforcement push will shape the next phase of the Trump administration’s takeover of public safety operations in Washington, D.C.

For now, Bondi’s directive stands, and MPD officers are required to comply with federal immigration authorities as the administration continues its efforts in the city.