The Militarization of American Cities is Underway, Starting with DC

What’s Happening & Why It Matters

On Monday, August 11, Trump invoked Section 740 of the DC Home Rule Act to seize control of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), installed DEA Director Terry Cole as “emergency police commissioner,” and began moving National Guard troops into the city. All of this is being done under the pretext of a “crime emergency”—a claim not backed by actual data, given that crime is declining in DC, nationally, and in many other big cities.

This is an authoritarian power grab that has nothing to do with public safety. It’s about consolidating control, intimidating residents, and sending a warning to other cities that local authority can be overridden at will. DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb has filed suit, arguing the move violates the Home Rule Act, which only permits temporary federal control in narrow circumstances—and requires congressional approval for anything beyond 30 days. Trump is already trying to stretch “national emergency” powers to bypass that safeguard.

DC’s situation is unique: As a federal district, it has no state-level protections. By contrast, other cities are created under state law and are shielded by a long-standing constitutional principle—the “anti-commandeering” doctrine—which prevents the federal government from forcing state or local police to carry out its agenda. The major exception is State Guard units: While governors usually control them, presidents can “federalize” state guards in an emergency. Trump used that playbook in June, sending Guard troops—and even active-duty Marines—into Los Angeles during immigration protests, over mass local opposition. Governor Newsom called it unlawful and sued; Mayor Bass called it “intentional chaos.” 

This is about race and power, period. DC is a majority-Black city, and history is full of examples of federal authorities stripping local control from Black-led governments under the guise of “restoring order.” By forcing federal control over local policing, Trump is sending a message that communities of color—especially those that resist his agenda—will be militarized and occupied at his discretion.

  • It’s not going to stop at DC

    • It’s not going to stop at DC

    Make no mistake: Trump’s militarization of DC  is not a one-off; it is a test run for cities in states across the country. Even if the legal mechanics vary, the strategy is the same—bypass local leaders, impose federal control, and normalize military-style policing. If he gets away with it here, no city will be safe. 

    He has already stated that the crackdown “will go further,” and has named his next targets. Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi has blasted out demand letters to dozens of “sanctuary” jurisdictions, a prelude to broader legal pressure.

    Every state and local leader should be preparing now to fight back.

    Examples of pushback:

    • •  DC: AG Brian Schwalb and city leaders have sued to block the MPD takeover and Bondi’s attempt to sideline local leadership.
    • •  Los Angeles: Mayor Karen Bass is pressing to remove all remaining Guard troops and has publicly denounced federal militarization.
    • •  Chicago: Mayor Brandon Johnson says Guard deployments would destabilize the city and is demanding the White House restore anti-violence funds instead of sending troops.
    • •  Oakland: Mayor Barbara Lee and city leaders have vowed not to back down and are organizing public opposition to federal threats. 

    These examples are good, but insufficient. We need political leaders, law enforcement, business leaders, and anyone with a platform to denounce Trump’s militarized crackdown and prepare their cities for full opposition.

    Which Cities Are Likely To Be Hit Next?

    Trump and Bondi have named their next targets (surprise surprise, they’re all blue cities with Black mayors): 

    • •  Los Angeles
    • •  Baltimore
    • •  Oakland
    • •  New York City
    • •  Chicago 

    They won’t stop there. We know the far right fantasizes about military occupation in other Democratic cities, like San Francisco, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Seattle, Portland, or Milwaukee. We must prepare for Trump to expand militarization into these cities, and potentially more. The more we can frustrate his efforts and demonstrate mass backlash and defiance, the harder it will be for him to consolidate control.

  • Here’s How You Can Fight Back

    • Here’s How You Can Fight Back

    Your voice is critical at this moment. Reach out now to your local leaders (mayors, city councils, etc.) to demand protection of local autonomy and democratic rights. Click or tap on the down arrow to expand each section.

    • Demand a clear, public commitment to refuse cooperation with any federal takeover unless required by law, with a specific court order or congressional approval. Mayors in Baltimore, Oakland, Chicago, and others have already expressed public pushback and called out Trump's authoritarian moves for what they are: military occupation. In cities like LA, with powerful county-level officials, focus on county executives as well.

    We need to keep that heat up, and follow it with action. Call for public safety directives that ban city resources, data, and facilities from being used for civil immigration enforcement or politically motivated crackdowns.

    City councils and county commissions should also be taking aggressive, proactive steps to shore up city systems and signal full noncooperation with any attempt at a federal takeover. If they have not already done so, city councils must:

    •  •  Prohibit city funds, staff, or equipment from being used in federal crackdowns without local approval.
    • •  Mandate visible ID, no masking, and body-worn cameras for all law enforcement operating in your city. 
    • •  Demand that all local law enforcement not cooperate with federal law enforcement following Trump's unlawful orders.
  • Prepare Local Law Enforcement

    • Prepare Local Law Enforcement

    The specific actions you should take will depend on the structure of your local government, who controls your local police department, and other factors. Below is a rough breakdown of the most common models for police department control. Click or tap on the down arrow to expand each section.

    The mayor has direct authority over the police department, including policies and budgets. Example cities include:

    • •  Baltimore
    • •  New York City
    • •  Chicago
    • •  Washington, DC

    Call your mayor and demand a public pledge to reject any federal takeover of your police department.

    • •  Ask for immediate executive orders banning city police from participating in federal immigration raids, protest crackdowns, or politically motivated enforcement.
    • •  Push for transparency rules requiring visible identification and body-worn cameras for all law enforcement operating in your city.
    • •  Ensure accountability for illegal actions from law enforcement or other city officials. Trump relies on the impression of power, and for others to preemptively follow his orders. But in many cases those orders may be illegal. Mayors should make it clear that members of law enforcement or other officials will be held accountable for violating the law for Trump.

    A commission, with members appointed by the mayor and the city council, oversees the police department. Example cities include:

    • •  Los Angeles
    • •  Oakland

    Pressure the mayor’s appointees to the police commission to pass resolutions opposing federal involvement and to block any attempts to hire a chief aligned with Trump’s agenda.

    • •  Ensure each commissioner is on the record opposing Trump’s takeover attempt, and identify if any need additional pushing to stiffen their spines.
    • •  Ensure accountability for illegal actions from law enforcement or other city officials. Trump relies on the impression of power, and for others to preemptively follow his orders. But in many cases, those orders may be illegal. Commissions should make it clear that members of law enforcement or other officials will be held accountable for violating the law for Trump.

    A city manager or the state legislature controls the police department, and they do not report to the mayor or the city council. Examples include:

    • •  Austin
    • •  Phoenix
       
    • •  Focus on your city council or state legislators—they can set budget restrictions, pass ordinances limiting cooperation, and direct the city manager’s approach.
    • •  Build public pressure to get your council to make non-cooperation a condition for funding the police department.
    • •  Push Attorneys General, Chiefs of Police, and Elected Sheriffs to make direct commitments to refuse cooperation with a Trump militarization, commit that their departments will not follow illegal orders, and to use legal action against attempts to force their cooperation.

    Each city is different, and you should get creative and dig into the unique offices in your city that have the power to make a Trump takeover more difficult, to prevent law enforcement cooperation, and to shield your city’s residents from harm. 

    These offices often fly under the radar but have the influence and access to pressure mayors and councils directly. In the target cities, here are some examples:

    • •  Los Angeles
      • City Attorney
      • Police Commission Board
      • LA County Sheriff
    • •  Baltimore
      • City Solicitor
      • Board of Estimates members
      • Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement
    • •  Oakland
      • City Auditor
      • Oakland Police Commission members
      • Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council Chairs
    • •  Chicago
      • City Clerk
      • City Treasurer
      • Cook County Sheriff
    • •  New York City
      • Borough Presidents
      • Public Advocate
      • City Comptroller

    Contact these officials and demand they use their platforms to:

    • •  Issue statements opposing militarization
    • •  Push their mayors to refuse cooperation
    • •  Help prepare or support legal challenges
    • •  Coordinate with civil society groups to monitor federal activity in your city
  • Attorneys General Must Defend Their Cities

    • Attorneys General Must Defend Their Cities

    State AGs must use the courts, like DC already is. DC’s Attorney General Brian Schwalb has already filed suit against Trump and Pam Bondi, calling the takeover unconstitutional. The administration’s action—replacing Police Chief Pamela A. Smith with DEA head Terry Cole and revoking DC's sanctuary policies—is being challenged in court. A hearing has already been scheduled. 

    Ask your Attorney General to prepare for litigation and to file emergency injunctions if Trump tries to assert control over your city’s police or public safety agencies.

  • DC and Congress

    • DC and Congress

    Here’s the thing: Trump has more power over DC than he does over other cities, but it’s not limitless. He claims temporary control over DC can be extended beyond the usual 30-day limit via "national emergency" powers—bypassing Congressional approval required under Section 740 of the Home Rule Act. But Congress has the authority to block this power grab if the mandate exceeds 30 days, and they must. Republicans in Congress cut over $1 billion from DC’s local budget via a federal spending bill earlier this year. A Senate bill to restore DC’s funding is stalled, meaning the city is stuck without access to billions in its own local resources, potentially making it more difficult for DC to resist federal overreach. As an additional action, press your representatives to oppose any Congressional extensions or national emergency declarations that erode local control.