Scope of Federal Police powers

Things have been pretty lively around our nation’s capital lately. Donald Trump’s recent executive order declaring a crime emergency in Washington, D.C., has created quite an uproar, both for and against. While there have been many claims on both sides, what I haven’t heard, except for my radio program, is a real constitutional analysis of his actions.

Does the President have the legal authority to commandeer the services of the Washington, D.C. police department after declaring an emergency? Yes. Does he have the authority to make changes in that department? No. More importantly, does the President have the authority to take similar actions in other cities? No!