The Trump administration appointed Terry Cole, the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, as Washington's emergency police commissioner, effectively granting him the powers of the police chief. This directive mandates that the Metropolitan Police Department must receive approval from Cole before issuing any orders. The move raises questions about the authority of the current police chief, Pamela Smith, and has been labeled unlawful by D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb. Mayor Muriel Bowser expressed that no statute allows a federal official to hold personnel authority over the District's police force.
The Trump administration appointed DEA chief Terry Cole as Washington's 'emergency police commissioner,' granting him police chief powers and national oversight over D.C. police.
Attorney General Pam Bondi's directive mandates that the Metropolitan Police Department must receive approval from Commissioner Cole for any orders, indicating a shift towards federal control.
D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb termed Bondi's directive as 'unlawful,' asserting that the city's police force cannot follow orders from any official not appointed by the Mayor.
Mayor Muriel Bowser stated there is no statute giving personnel authority to a federal official, highlighting potential legal conflicts arising from the federal directives.
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