1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am writing to express deep concern over recent executive actions involving the federalization of Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department and the deployment of National Guard forces. According to reports, the President invoked Section 740 of the D.C. Home Rule Act to take direct control of local law enforcement, citing crime statistics from 2023 rather than current data. While public safety is paramount, this action raises serious constitutional questions: 1. Home Rule & Local Governance: Federalizing the D.C. police undermines the principle of self-governance granted under the Home Rule Act. 2. Potential Violation of the Posse Comitatus Act: Using military forces in domestic law enforcement, outside of specific legal allowances, risks eroding long-standing limits on executive power. 3. Precedent for Federal Overreach: The President has indicated that similar measures could be applied to other U.S. cities, bypassing local authorities. The balance of power between branches of government—and between federal and local jurisdictions—is a cornerstone of our democracy. If such actions are allowed to proceed without thorough congressional review, the precedent could significantly diminish the role of elected representatives and the autonomy of municipalities. I urge you to: • Demand a full congressional investigation into the legality of this action. • Hold public hearings to assess its constitutional basis and implications. • Pursue all remedies available under the Constitution to address any abuse of executive authority. The gravity of this situation requires immediate attention. Our constitutional framework depends on each branch of government fulfilling its role as a check and balance on the others. Thank you for your time and dedication to upholding the rule of law.