Trump's D.C. Police Takeover Set to Expire Tonight: What's Next for City Law Enforcement?

Trump's Control of D.C. Police Set to Expire Tonight: What's Next? President Donald Trump's takeover of the Washington D.C. police department is set to expire tonight, marking the end of a 30-day period during which he had control over the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The expiration of his authority comes as other forms of federal control continue in the nation's capital. According to the Home Rule Act of 1973, Trump's power to take control of the D.C. police was meant to be used for emergencies only and is limited to a 30-day period. Congress would need to authorize an extension, but so far, there has been no indication that lawmakers plan to do so. "We have not received any information from the White House or the Department of Justice regarding an extension," said a spokesperson for D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. "We will continue to work with federal authorities to ensure public safety in the District." Trump declared a "crime emergency" in Washington D.C. on August 11, activating the D.C. National Guard and taking control of the MPD. The move was met with criticism from some lawmakers and civil liberties groups, who argued that it was an overreach of executive power. "This is a classic example of the president using his authority to bypass Congress and impose his own will on the District," said Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), who has been a vocal critic of Trump's actions in D.C. "We need to ensure that the rights of D.C. residents are protected and that our local government is able to function without interference from the federal government." Others, however, have praised Trump's efforts to address crime in the nation's capital. "The president's declaration of a crime emergency was necessary to address the growing violence and disorder in Washington D.C.," said Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), who has been a supporter of Trump's actions. "We need to work together to find solutions to these problems, rather than playing politics with public safety." As Trump's control over the D.C. police expires tonight, it remains unclear what will happen next. The mayor's office and federal authorities are expected to continue working together to address public safety concerns in the District. In a statement earlier this week, Trump praised Mayor Bowser for her cooperation and said that he was "very pleased" with the progress being made on addressing crime in D.C. However, it remains to be seen whether he will seek an extension of his authority or allow local authorities to take control once again. The expiration of Trump's control over the D.C. police marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over federal power and local autonomy in Washington D.C. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the future of public safety in the nation's capital remains uncertain. *Reporting by Npr.*