In a decisive response to escalating violent crime in Washington, D.C., Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a directive on Thursday that brings the city's police under federal command, significantly altering its operational structure by placing Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Terry Cole as the "emergency police commissioner." This occurs in the wake of President Donald Trump's proclamation of a crime emergency in the capital.
Bondi's bold move not only sidelines the current Police Chief Pamela Smith but also rescinds sanctuary-style protections for illegal immigrants that have been in place in the city. The two-page order, named “Restoring Safety and Security to the District of Columbia,” revokes three prior Metro Police Department policies, including directives from June 2024 and October 2023 as well as an executive order from Chief Smith that was enacted earlier that day.
Cole's new role grants him extensive authority to issue general orders and directives for the department's personnel, requiring all actions by existing leadership to now obtain his authorization. The Attorney General underscored the imperative of public safety, saying, “Residents of the District of Columbia, the thousands of Americans who commute into the District for work every day, and the millions of tourists from all over the world who visit our nation’s capital have a right to feel safe and to be free from the scourge of violent crime.”
The order specifically eliminates sanctuary policies that had previously restricted Metro officers from cooperating with federal immigration authorities and prohibited arrests based solely on immigration status. This change follows a recent incident where Chief Smith appeared uncertain of her authority during a press interaction, highlighting the organizational confusion within the department. Her executive order had limited officer cooperation with federal authorities, preventing arrests solely on federal warrants without a related criminal charge.
With the new directive, these limitations are lifted, allowing law enforcement more comprehensive powers to address illegal immigrants involved in criminal activities. Since the federal intervention commenced, an uptick in enforcement actions has been noted, with a reported 45 arrests on Wednesday night alone, including 29 involving illegal immigrants.
While officials assert that Cole’s oversight will ensure consistency in law enforcement, critics are expressing concerns that this represents a significant expansion of federal control over local police operations. The immediate operational impact is clear: officers and department leadership must adhere to Cole-approved directives, which will reshape daily procedures and the internal chain of command.
"Residents of the District of Columbia... have a right to feel safe and to be free from the scourge of violent crime." – Attorney General Pam Bondi
As Metro Police undergo this transition, the focus remains on reducing violent crime and restoring public confidence. The intervention underscores the complex challenges of reconciling local autonomy with federal enforcement priorities, especially where violent crime and immigration issues intersect. By consolidating authority under Bondi’s directive, the goal is to foster accountability and address the critical safety issues that led to the emergency declaration.
