Fri Aug 15 14:36:11 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and news article based on the provided text, written from an Indian perspective, as you requested:
**Summary:**
President Trump has initiated a federal takeover of the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), appointing a federal official, Terry Cole of the DEA, as the acting head with full authority. This move follows a disagreement over the city’s “sanctuary policies” limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The District of Columbia is challenging the takeover in court, arguing it violates Home Rule. The city’s Attorney General and Mayor are pushing back, asserting local control. The city is experiencing increased federal presence with National Guard deployments and patrols by various federal agencies. The move is seen as a test of Trump’s authority and a sweeping assertion of federal power over a local government, raising concerns about the city’s autonomy.
**News Article:**
**From the Hindu Bureau (Washington) – August 16, 2025**
**Trump Administration Seizes Control of Washington D.C. Police; Echoes of Emergency Rule Draw Criticism**
Washington, D.C. is embroiled in a major power struggle after the Trump administration initiated a federal takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) on Friday. President Trump, citing crime concerns, has appointed Terry Cole, a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) official, as the acting head of the MPD, effectively bypassing the authority of the city’s Mayor and police chief.
The move is being met with fierce resistance from the District of Columbia, with Attorney General Brian Schwalb launching a legal challenge, arguing the action is a blatant violation of the city’s Home Rule Act, and undermines the democratic rights of its 700,000 residents. “This is the gravest threat to Home Rule that the District has ever faced,” said Mr. Schwalb.
The takeover was triggered by a disagreement over the MPD’s policies on immigration enforcement. Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized the city’s “sanctuary policies” and rescinded directives limiting cooperation with federal immigration agencies.
The situation has created a tense atmosphere in the capital. National Guard troops have been deployed to secure landmarks and patrol the city, and various federal agencies are maintaining a highly visible presence, including the DEA and Secret Service. Some are viewing this as an overreach of federal power. The deployment comes as the city has seen spikes in violence and visible homelessness, though its homicide rate is lower than in many cities.
The move is raising alarms about the future of federal-state relations within the United States. Political analysts draw comparisons to similar power grabs, albeit on a far smaller scale, witnessed in regions struggling with conflict and political instability.
“From an Indian perspective, we’ve seen how centrally controlled governance can stifle local autonomy and lead to resentment,” said Dr. Arati Rao, a political science professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University. “The situation in Washington D.C. is a reminder of the importance of respecting local governance and fostering a cooperative relationship between the central government and its constituent parts.”
The legal battle is expected to be protracted, with the outcome having significant implications for the balance of power between the federal government and local administrations across the United States. The world watches closely as the situation in D.C. unfolds.
First Piper 