The Trump administration’s federal takeover of D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department just tightened. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi handed control to the head of the Drug Enforcement Agency.
Bondi named Terry Cole as the “emergency police commissioner,” giving him full authority over the department. The appointment means Chief Pamela Smith and other leaders now need his sign-off before issuing any directives.
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Response to the order
Following the announcement, D.C.’s Attorney General pushed back, writing a letter to Smith. It read, “It is my opinion that the Bondi order is unlawful, and that you are not legally obligated to follow it.”
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser weighed in as well, saying, “There is no statute that conveys the District’s personnel authority to a federal official.”
Previous immigration orders
Bondi’s move came hours after Smith ordered officers to alert immigration authorities about undocumented immigrants encountered at checkpoints or traffic stops.
Bondi disagreed with the police chief’s directive, saying it allowed for continued enforcement of “sanctuary policies,” according to the Justice Department.
“They’re trying to protect criminal aliens, and what’s gonna happen if we keep this up — criminals are going to flee to D.C. And we’re not going to let that happen.”
Bondi’s order also reversed guidance that barred D.C. Police from searching databases to check a person’s immigration status.
Arrests, firearms, and drug removal
Bondi said at least 100 arrests have taken place since the National Guard arrived on Monday. She also noted law enforcement seized over two dozen firearms, and over 200 fentanyl pills have been “taken off the street.”
“We are going to protect D.C. and make it safe again … citizens are coming out of their homes and they’re going up to these law enforcement officers and they’re thanking them for keeping them safe,” Bondi said.
Crime in D.C.
All these changes come after President Donald Trump cited the nearly 1,600 violent crimes that have been committed year-to-date. He also spoke about the district’s murder rate, which stands at 27.3 per 100,000 residents, the fourth highest in the country.
However, data from the Justice Department shows that overall crime is down and at its lowest point in three decades.
