Washington DC — Federalization, MPD-ICE Cooperation, and the Warrantless-Arrest Fight
contested
— Active and contested. A federal judge (Beryl Howell, DDC) issued a preliminary injunction in December 2025 in Escobar Molina v. DHS barring the warrantless-arrest regime, and on May 7, 2026 granted a motion to enforce after the administration failed to comply; arrests fell sharply after the December ruling. Separately, the DC Attorney General sued over the National Guard deployment (Posse Comitatus / Home Rule Act); a judge ordered withdrawal and the administration appealed. The National Guard deployment is extended through end of 2026. ICE made 1,100+ arrests in DC in roughly two months (80%+ no criminal record). Community coalitions (Free DC, CASA, Harriet's Wildest Dreams) sustain pressure; DC Council held hearings on MPD's August 14, 2025 cooperation Executive Order.