Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has issued an executive order directing the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to work and cooperate with federal law enforcement officials on an indefinite basis. The move extends a partnership that began when President Donald Trump established the Safe and Beautiful Task Force and invoked section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act in early August, placing MPD under direct federal control and activating the National Guard.
According to a press release from Bowser’s office, the executive order “continues the work of the Safe and Beautiful Emergency Operations Center (SBEOC) in managing the District’s response to the Safe and Beautiful Task Force,” which was established by President Trump. The SBEOC will manage Washington’s response, coordinate centralized communications, and ensure coordination with federal law enforcement “to the maximum extent allowable by law within the District,” according to the press release.
Mayor Bowser announced her decision publicly, stating: “Today, I issued Mayor’s Order 2025-090 to provide the pathway forward beyond the Presidential emergency.”
The arrangement allows local police to continue working closely with federal agencies without requiring a new declaration of emergency from President Trump. This change follows reports that crime rates in Washington, DC have declined during this period of increased federal involvement.
The extension of this cooperation comes amid discussions about applying similar strategies in other cities facing high crime rates.
