Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith became the subject of a heated online debate on Tuesday after a press conference that left many questioning her understanding of the department's hierarchy. The incident occurred during a media briefing where Smith seemed perplexed by a reporter's question regarding the chain of command following President Trump's federalization order.
The confusion arose when a reporter asked, “Can you tell us what the chain of command is now?” Smith's response, “What does that mean?” immediately went viral, drawing sharp criticism from various conservative circles. The exchange was shared by the Libs of TikTok account, further fueling the online backlash.
Mayor Muriel Bowser stepped in to address the question, explaining that despite the federalization under section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, the department's basic operations would remain largely the same. Bowser stated, “Our organizational chart, how we do business, how we fund the police, none of that has changed.” She further clarified that Attorney General Pam Bondi would act as Trump's representative, with both her and the mayor maintaining regular communication to ensure the smooth functioning of the department.
The press conference followed a meeting between Bowser and Bondi regarding the federalization order signed by Trump on Monday. This move came in response to a series of violent incidents in Washington D.C., including the fatal shooting of a congressional intern and the killing of two Israeli embassy staffers. The decision aims to bolster public safety in the nation's capital, with Trump painting a grim picture of the current situation and declaring the federal takeover as "Liberation Day in D.C."
Social media critics, including CJ Pearson of the RNC Youth Advisory Council and various conservative accounts, were quick to connect Smith's apparent lack of knowledge to her background as the department's first chief equity officer, where she led initiatives on diversity, equity, and inclusion. This has sparked a broader debate on the qualifications and readiness of law enforcement leadership.
Fox Digital's attempt to reach the Metropolitan Police Department and Bowser's office for comments on the incident has not been met with a response. Meanwhile, Trump's federalization order remains a controversial topic, as it signifies a major shift in the oversight of the D.C. police force, with the National Guard also being deployed to aid in reestablishing law and order.
