Rep. Adam Smith Responds to Trump’s Control of D.C. Police
On Tuesday, Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) expressed his concerns about President Trump taking control of Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), stating that he “wants his own domestic police force.”
Smith shared his worries during an interview with CNN. “This president is trampling on the fundamental freedoms of the American people; we haven’t seen anything like it,” he remarked. He highlighted concerns regarding the actions of immigration enforcement agents, emphasizing that they operate without proper evidence or procedures, often resorting to rounding up individuals on the streets.
“This isn’t just a one-off situation; it’s happening across the country,” Smith continued. He underscored his belief that the president is systematically trying to establish a personal police force. “Regardless of his viewpoint on crime in D.C. or elsewhere, we should be cautious about this,” he added.
On Monday, Trump announced his assumption of control over the D.C. police and the deployment of national security forces within the city to address crime.
In his remarks, Trump painted a grim picture of D.C., describing it as being besieged by violent gangs and various issues, stating, “We won’t let it happen anymore. We’re not going to take it.” He invoked Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rules Act, which was enacted by Congress in the 1970s, allowing D.C. to manage its local operations.
Smith’s concerns echo similar sentiments from other Democrats, including Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), who criticized Trump’s actions as an exertion of authoritarian power. In a post on the platform X, Van Hollen asserted, “Trump’s raw authoritarian power in D.C. is part of a growing national crisis.”
He further lamented that Trump appears to disregard the safety of D.C.’s residents, noting that if he truly cared, he wouldn’t have blocked substantial funding meant for the city’s police department and educational institutions.
The White House was approached for comments regarding these developments.
