At least one high-ranking officer has been suspended so far over the disturbing allegations, which the DC Police Union has said effectively reflect standard operating procedure.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb are forcefully rejecting U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s late-night order attempting to sideline the local D.C. police chief, calling it unlawful and beyond federal authority.

"While federal assistance gives us a boost, we must repeal the misguided Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Act in order to make these changes permanent," the union said

The federal government takes control of Washington DC police operations as DEA Administrator Terry Cole seeks to enforce immigration compliance and reduce crime.

Washington, D.C. is one of very few American cities to see a drop in August dining reservations compared to last year, according to OpenTable. Prior to Trump’s police takeover, D.C. had improved in reservation numbers for 11 consecutive months on a year-over-year basis, according to WUSA.

Three US Republican-led states deployed hundreds more National Guard troops to Washington, DC, marking a significant escalation of federal law enforcement presence in the nation’s capital.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a directive issued Thursday evening that DEA boss Terry Cole will assume “powers and duties vested in the District of Columbia Chief of Police.” The Metropolitan Police Department “must receive approval from Commissioner Cole” before issuing any orders,

The DEA head, Terry Cole, would assume "all the powers and duties" of DC police chief, Bondi said.

Police are currently on the scene in Northeast D.C., where a person in crisis has barricaded herself inside a vehicle.