President Trump federalizing D.C. police “raises urgent constitutional concerns”

In response to President Donald Trump announcing that he will federalize Washington D.C.’s police department and deploy National Guard troops, Issue One Founder and CEO Nick Penniman released the following statement:

“President Donald Trump’s invocation of Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to assume temporary control of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and deploy the D.C. National Guard raises urgent constitutional and statutory concerns.

“While the president has authority under Section 740 in genuine emergencies, that authority should only be exercised when ‘special conditions of an emergency nature exist,’ and such control is limited to a maximum of 30 days unless extended by Congress. Its narrow design reflects Congress’ intent to preserve D.C.’s local governance, prevent executive overreach, and permit federal intervention solely when objective emergency conditions exist.

“At present, no such emergency exists within the District. Data from the U.S. Department of Justice and the Metropolitan Police Department show violent crime in D.C. is at a 30-year low, with double-digit declines so far this year. While the administration has alleged that these figures are manipulated, such claims must be substantiated through independent, transparent verification if they are to be the basis for invoking extraordinary powers.

“This latest action fits a broader pattern in which President Trump has invoked emergency declarations to expand executive authority and circumvent Congress, eroding the separation of powers.

“Our system of checks and balances demands that extraordinary executive action be subject to rigorous legislative and judicial review. The District’s unique constitutional position — lacking full congressional representation — makes it acutely vulnerable to unilateral federal action. If allowed to stand without challenge, this precedent could normalize the federalization of the MPD and open the door to similar interventions in other federally administered jurisdictions.

“We urge Congress to convene immediate oversight hearings to determine whether the conditions under Section 740 have in fact been met. Emergency powers, however limited in duration, must remain grounded in facts and the principles of local self-governance.”