Clergy to Challenge Trump's Federal Takeover of DC Police With 'Day of Prayer'
Church That Won Victory Against Proud Boys to Host 'Day of Prayer for Our Nation’s Capital: A Peaceful Call for Unity, Healing, and Hope'
A coalition of faith leaders, the Concerned Clergy of Washington, D.C., will host a "Day of Prayer for Our Nation’s Capital" on Wednesday, August 28, 2025, at 12 p.m. EST. The event, to be held at the historic Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, is a call for unity, healing, and hope in response to the recent temporary federalization of the city's police department.
The gathering is a direct response to the federal government's temporary emergency intervention under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, which has placed the Metropolitan Police Department under federal control. Organizers stress that the Day of Prayer is a nonpartisan and non-confrontational event, intended as a "sacred moment to lift our voices together for peace, safety, and the well-being of our nation’s capital," according to a media advisory sent August 20.
Leaders from various faith traditions will lead the prayers, focusing on intercession for unity, justice, and a hopeful future for Washington, D.C., and the nation. The event is open to the public. A flyer for the event lists Pastor Jamal Bryant, behind the ongoing “Target Fast,” as a guest speaker.
The choice of Metropolitan A.M.E. Church as the venue is significant, as it has a long history of activism and has recently been the center of a legal battle against the Proud Boys.
In December 2020, members of the far-right group tore down and burned a Black Lives Matter banner from the church. A subsequent lawsuit resulted in a multi-million dollar judgment against the Proud Boys, and ultimately, in February 2025, the church was awarded ownership of the group's trademarks.
On Federal Intervention in D.C.
The temporary emergency intervention refers to the recent federalization of the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Here’s a breakdown of what has happened:
Invocation of the Home Rule Act: On August 11, 2025, President Donald Trump invoked a rarely used provision of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973. This act grants the president the authority to assume control of the MPD under "special conditions of an emergency nature." This is the first time a president has taken such an action.
Stated Purpose: The administration has stated that the takeover is a direct response to rising crime rates in the city and a need to restore "law and order."
Criticism and Opposition: The move has been met with immediate and strong opposition from local D.C. officials, including Mayor Muriel Bowser and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. They have labeled the intervention an "egregious assault on D.C. home rule" and argue that crime rates in the city have actually been on a downward trend. Civil liberties organizations, such as the ACLU, have also raised constitutional concerns about the president's actions, suggesting it is an overreach of executive power.
Legal Challenges: In response to the federalization, the D.C. Attorney General has filed a lawsuit to challenge the legality of the president's order and to maintain local control over the police force.
Current Situation: The federalization is in effect, with the Director of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Terrance "Terry" Cole, appointed as the interim commissioner of the MPD. The intervention is set for an initial 30-day period, but the administration has indicated it may seek a long-term extension from Congress.