Washington, D.C. has officially launched a legal battle against President Donald Trump over his decision to take direct control of the city’s police force — a move the administration says is necessary to crack down on crime and “beautify” the District.

In a stunning lawsuit filed today, D.C.’s Attorney General Brian Schwalb accused Trump of a “hostile takeover” of the Metropolitan Police Department, claiming the move violates the Home Rule Act and undermines the city’s right to self-govern.

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“By declaring a hostile takeover of MPD, the Administration is abusing its limited, temporary authority under the Home Rule Act, infringing on the District’s right to self-governance and putting the safety of D.C. residents and visitors at risk,” Schwalb said, according to NBC News.The lawsuit comes just days after Trump announced that federal agencies would step in to clean up the city, citing record crime rates, collapsing infrastructure, and what he called “total leadership failure” in the capital.

Supporters of Trump’s plan argue it’s a necessary step to restore order in the nation’s capital. Critics call it an unprecedented power grab. The battle now moves from the streets of Washington to the courts — and the stakes couldn’t be higher.