Washington (AP) – Attorney General Pam Bondy The White House says, as he is effectively in charge of the Washington, D.C. police department. But city police already have Pam at the helm – Chief Pamela Smith – and she says she only reports to the mayor.
DC and federal officials say they are working together after President Donald Trump announced that police stations will be placed in the nation’s capital, a federal government-controlled country to crack down on violent crimes. But despite the unified tone, the extraordinary arrangements raise questions about who can make decisions about DC police resources, personnel and policies.
According to the DC leader, the Attorney General can request the services of the mayor, but nothing has changed when it comes to chain of command and departmental funding. And when she pressed on Tuesday about who she reported to in light of the federal takeover, Smith said: “I will answer Mayor Muriel Bowser.”
“Are you having any controversy about that?” Smith told reporters outside the Justice Department after meeting with Bondy and other federal officials. “Because I know people want to build on top of the department and create. We’re here to work with federal partners, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
A few more hours later, the White House strikes another tone, suggesting that the ultimate authority is in the hands of Bondi and Terry Cole.
“We’re going to work with the metropolitan police department, but ultimately the chain of command is: the US President, US Attorney General and DEA Administrator Terry Cole is currently serving as Metropolitan Police Chief,” Cole works with Smith to “ensure law enforcement officers are allowed to work within the city,” Leavitt said.
Justice Department officials have not answered questions about whether the Trump administration believes it has the authority to make decisions about D.C. officials, and whether the Attorney General has issued a new order to police.
Smith took on the role of the country’s capital police chief in November 2023, serving temporarily with other forces, including the Homeland Security Agency. She also led police diversity, equity and comprehensive efforts, and was the chief of the U.S. Park Police after a long career in federal forces.
The law allows Trump to take over DC police for up to 30 days, but the White House suggests it will last longer as authorities “reevaluate and reevaluate.” To extend federal control over that time, Congressional approval is required. Democratic resistance.
Hundreds of federal officials from the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, cigarettes, firearms, explosives and other agencies have been patrolling overnight in Washington since last week. Cole said federal officers will be “embedded” to DC police and patrol the streets, but did not provide specific details about what will change in the chain of command. Still, he described Smith as “very kind”, sharing ideas, giving offices to police headquarters and referring to staff.
“We’re incredible cooperation, incredible Intel sharing and most encouraging. The police are looking forward to working again,” Cole said. I said in an interview with Fox News.
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