As Donald Trump took over the control of Washington DC's police in an attempt to curb what the administration said a steep rise in violence, police chief Pamela Smith came under fire as a particular video of her started doing the rounds Tuesday. The police chief was asked about the new chain of command implying who heads what now. To this, Smith asked for clarity on the question-- drawing flak from MAGA commentators who pilloried on her calling her a DEI hire.
Attorney General Pam Bondi has been appointed as the interim commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Department, and Terry Cole is the interim federal administrator.
Mayor Muriel Bowser and Police chief Pamela Smith were apparently blindsided by the presidential takeover of the DC police force but they said they are ready to work under federal takeover.
"The executive order is pretty clear and so is the law," Bowser said. "The president has the authority by virtue of the statute to request services. Our organizational chart, how we do business, how we fund the police, how we make changes, none of that has changed."
"I answer to Mayor Muriel Bowser, and let me just say this: let us not have any controversy with that, OK, because I know people want to build upon and create division," Smith said. "We're here to work together with our federal partners, and that's what we're going to do."
20 arrests after DC police takeover
More than 20 people were arrested in Washington, DC, yesterday following the deployment of hundreds of officers and agents after President Donald Trump declared a crime emergency in the city, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
“Approximately 850 officers and agents were surged across the city. They made a total of 23 arrests, including multiple other contacts last night,” Leavitt told reporters at the the White House.
Leavitt said people were arrested for “homicide, firearms offenses, possession with intent to distribute, narcotics, fare evasion, lewd acts, stalking, possession of a high capacity magazine … driving under the influence, reckless driving and a bench warrant.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi has been appointed as the interim commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Department, and Terry Cole is the interim federal administrator.
Mayor Muriel Bowser and Police chief Pamela Smith were apparently blindsided by the presidential takeover of the DC police force but they said they are ready to work under federal takeover.
REPORTER: "Do you know what the chain of command is now?"
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) August 12, 2025
D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith: “What does that mean?” 🤦♂️
Smith previously served as the Police Department's "Chief Equity Officer". pic.twitter.com/CdggV2lnP9
"The executive order is pretty clear and so is the law," Bowser said. "The president has the authority by virtue of the statute to request services. Our organizational chart, how we do business, how we fund the police, how we make changes, none of that has changed."
"I answer to Mayor Muriel Bowser, and let me just say this: let us not have any controversy with that, OK, because I know people want to build upon and create division," Smith said. "We're here to work together with our federal partners, and that's what we're going to do."
20 arrests after DC police takeover
More than 20 people were arrested in Washington, DC, yesterday following the deployment of hundreds of officers and agents after President Donald Trump declared a crime emergency in the city, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
“Approximately 850 officers and agents were surged across the city. They made a total of 23 arrests, including multiple other contacts last night,” Leavitt told reporters at the the White House.
Leavitt said people were arrested for “homicide, firearms offenses, possession with intent to distribute, narcotics, fare evasion, lewd acts, stalking, possession of a high capacity magazine … driving under the influence, reckless driving and a bench warrant.”
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