WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, a group of over 30 prominent conservative and independent former government officials, including many who were elected as Republicans or served in Republican administrations, issued a joint statement condemning the Trump administration’s attempt to take control of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

The signatories assert that “this attempted power grab violates Constitutional separation of powers and the provisions of the Home Rule Act. It does violence to principles of limited federal government.  It will also set a dangerous precedent as the Administration eyes similar takeovers in other cities.”

The administration has invoked an unprecedented clause to remove MPD leadership and impose federal command, despite no lawful emergency finding or public process. The signatories will seek leave to file an amicus brief urging the court to grant a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to restore local control pending litigation.

The full statement is HERE

The signers include:

Donald B. Ayer, Deputy Attorney General in the George H.W. Bush Administration from 1989 to 1990; Principal Deputy Solicitor General in the Reagan Administration from 1986 to 1988; United States Attorney for the Eastern District of California from 1981 to 1986 in the Reagan Administration.

Ty Cobb, Special Counsel to the President in the Trump Administration from 2017 to 2018 and Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland from 1980 to 1986.

Barbara Comstock, Representative of the 10th Congressional District of Virginia from 2015 to 2019 (R).

George T. Conway III, Board President for the Society for the Rule of Law.

Mickey Edwards, Representative of the 5th Congressional District of Oklahoma from 1977 to 1993 (R).

Stuart M. Gerson, Acting Attorney General, 1993; Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division from 1989 to 1993; and Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Columbia from 1972 to 1975.

John Giraudo, Attorney Advisor in the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel in the Reagan Administration from 1986 to 1989.

Peter Keisler, Acting Attorney General in the George W. Bush Administration in 2007; Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division in the Bush Administration from 2003 to 2007; Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General and Acting Associate Attorney General in the Bush Administration from 2002 to 2003; Assistant and Associate Counsel to the President in the Reagan Administration from 1986 to 1988.

William Kristol, Chief of Staff to the Vice President in the George H.W. Bush Administration from 1989 to 1993.

Philip Lacovara, Counsel to the Special Prosecutor, Watergate Special Prosecutor’s Office in the Nixon Administration from 1973 to 1974.

Marty Linsky, Former Assistant Republican Floor Leader, Massachusetts House of Representatives.

J. Michael Luttig, Circuit Judge, United States Court of Appeals appointed by George H.W. Bush from 1991 to 2006; Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Counsel and Counselor to the Attorney General in the Bush Administration from 1990 to 1991; Assistant Counsel to the President in the Reagan Administration from 1981 to 1982.

Carter Phillips, Assistant to the Solicitor General in the Reagan Administration.

Alan Charles Raul, Associate Counsel to the President in the Reagan Administration from 1986 to 1988.

Paul Rosenzweig, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Department of Homeland Security in the George W. Bush Administration from 2005 to 2009.

Rina Shah, Geopolitical Adviser & Former RNC Delegate.

Robert Shanks, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Counsel in the Reagan Administration from 1981 to 1984.

Fern M. Smith, Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California appointed by President Reagan from 1988 to 2005.

Jeff Timmer, The Lincoln Project.

David Trott, Representative of the 11th Congressional District of Michigan from 2015 to 2019 (R).

Olivia Troye, Special Advisor, Homeland Security and Counterterrorism to Vice President Mike Pence, 2018-2020.

William Joseph Walsh, Representative of the 8th Congressional District of Illinois from 2011 to 2013 (R).

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