Washington, D.C., brace yourselves—Attorney General Pam Bondi just dropped a bombshell directive that’s shaking the capital’s sanctuary city status to its core.
According to the Daily Caller, on Friday, August 15, 2025, Bondi issued a stern order mandating the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities, escalating the Trump administration’s push against D.C.’s long-standing policies while clashing with local Democratic resistance.
Let’s rewind a bit to set the stage. Over the past several days before August 15, hundreds of National Guard members and federal law enforcement officials were deployed to D.C. to tackle the nation’s crime concerns. It’s a bold move, signaling that the administration means business when it comes to public safety.
Things kicked off on Wednesday, August 13, when a joint operation between MPD and federal officers led to 45 arrests, including 29 unauthorized migrants. That’s a clear message: federal and local forces can work together when the stakes are high.
Then came Thursday, August 14, when Bondi first ordered Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) administrator Terry Cole to take charge of the MPD, while also rescinding several MPD policies that limited cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Talk about a power play—turns out, federal oversight isn’t just a suggestion.
But D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb wasn’t having it, firing back that same evening with a letter to MPD Chief Pamela Smith, urging her to ignore Bondi’s directive. “It is my opinion that the Bondi order is unlawful,” Schwalb wrote. Well, opinions are nice, but federal mandates carry a bit more weight, don’t they?
Fast forward to Friday, August 15, and Bondi updated her order, stepping back from placing Cole at the MPD’s helm but demanding broad local police participation in immigration enforcement. This isn’t a retreat; it’s a recalibration for maximum impact.
Department of Justice spokesperson Chad Gilmartin didn’t mince words, stating, “We are NOT backing down.” If that’s not a line in the sand, I don’t know what is—D.C.’s sanctuary stance is officially under siege.
Gilmartin also noted, “Today’s order is even STRONGER than yesterday’s.” Stronger indeed, as it shifts from targeting specific MPD policies to requiring full cooperation with federal immigration efforts. That’s not a request; it’s a requirement.
Meanwhile, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Attorney General Schwalb have been vocal in their opposition to this federal takeover. Schwalb even filed a lawsuit on Friday, accusing the Trump administration of acting unlawfully and threatening D.C.’s “home rule” status. It’s a classic clash of local autonomy versus national priorities.
Schwalb’s letter to Chief Smith insisted, “You are the lawfully appointed Chief of Police.” Fair point, but as Gilmartin countered, D.C.’s police chief “shall provide” services the President deems necessary. Legal battles aside, that sounds like a directive with teeth. Bondi herself weighed in, lamenting, “Unfortunately, the DC Attorney General continues to oppose our efforts to improve public safety.” She’s got a point—prioritizing political posturing over practical safety measures seems like a risky gamble for D.C. residents.
Bondi didn’t stop there, adding, “It is important to note that this same DC Attorney General is responsible for failing to enforce consequences for dangerous juvenile offenders.” Ouch—that’s a polite but pointed jab at local leadership’s track record. Actions, or the lack thereof, do have consequences.
On the streets, the tension is palpable, with federal agents and MPD officers spotted conducting stops at a security checkpoint near Nationals Park on August 15. It’s a visual reminder that while lawsuits fly in courtrooms, enforcement is happening in real time.
So, where does this leave D.C.? Caught between a rock and a federal hard place, the capital’s sanctuary policies are being challenged like never before. The Trump administration’s resolve is clear, and Bondi’s latest order ensures this battle over safety and sovereignty is far from over.
