A former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer named Edward Coristine was brutally attacked and left bloodied last weekend when he tried to stop a gang from taking his car. A woman was with him at the time. That was the last straw for Trump, who has directed federal law enforcement to increase its presence in Washington D.C.
Legal commentator Jenna Ellis of Jenna Ellis in the Morning on AFR says the president has the authority to do that – at least for a while.
“This kind of federalization that President Trump is talking about, while he can do that temporarily, he would need to look to Congress to give him more broad and ongoing authority,” Ellis said.
The president is using both local and federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and Homeland Security. Ellis says he also has the option of federalizing D.C.'s police force, the Capitol Police and deploying the National Guard. But his authority is only temporary.
“Temporary had a very broad definition during the COVID pandemic. Remember all of that? So, a lot of times, whatever temporary means is ultimately litigated and that may be the outcome here,” Ellis said.
The current federal deployment will last for seven days and be extended if needed. For anything more permanent, Congress needs to get involved. That could be a long shot.
Ellis says Democrats certainly won't play ball, and Republicans lack the backbone to act at the moment.
“As far as the Republicans, I don't really see, honestly, a lot of political will to just simply do what they should be doing, which is exercising their constitutional authority.”
