Trump Administration Appoints "Emergency Police Chief" in Washington DC

The Donald Trump administration has newly appointed an "emergency police chief" to oversee the police in the U.S. capital, Washington DC.

Citizens protesting in front of the National Guard deployed in Washington DC. Photo by EPA and Yonhap News

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According to the Associated Press and the Washington Post (WP) on August 14 (local time), Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Director Terry Cole as the "emergency police chief" to lead the Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department.

Previously, the Washington DC police department was led by Chief Pamela Smith, who was appointed by Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser. However, from now on, the federal government intends to take direct control of the Washington DC police.

Attorney General Bondi stated that all future law enforcement actions by the Washington DC police must be approved by Director Cole. She also declared the abolition of the Washington DC police department's policy restricting immigration enforcement.

Until now, in accordance with the Democratic mayor's policy, the Washington DC police had not cooperated with federal agencies in arresting immigrants based on residency status. However, going forward, the police will be required to follow federal government directives in law enforcement. Nonetheless, Mayor Bowser has called Bondi's appointment of an emergency police chief "illegal" and indicated her intention to challenge it.

In a statement, Mayor Bowser referenced the federal law applied by President Trump in this action, the "Washington DC Home Rule Act," and argued, "There is no provision in the law that supports transferring Washington DC's authority to federal officials."

Washington DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb also sent a letter to Chief Smith that afternoon, stating, "Bondi's order is illegal and there is no legal obligation to comply," and added, "No one other than you or any other official can exercise all the powers and duties of the police chief."

The WP reported that this is the strongest level of resistance yet from Washington DC leadership since President Trump declared federal control over police powers on August 12. Previously, President Trump ordered the deployment of federal law enforcement agencies in response to the spread of crime in Washington DC. As a result, agents from 12 agencies, including the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the DEA, were deployed to Washington DC starting at midnight on August 8.

Additionally, 800 National Guard troops have been mobilized to guard and patrol various monuments in Washington DC. Military Humvee vehicles have been stationed in front of downtown train stations, and vehicles belonging to the city government have removed some homeless tents from the square in front of the station. Some of the homeless people who had been living in the tent village left with help from volunteers.

Local human rights organizations expect that the police will soon clear homeless tent villages throughout the city. The previous day, large-scale checkpoints were set up in entertainment districts, prompting backlash from residents. According to the White House, 45 people were arrested the previous night, 29 of whom were charged with illegal residency.

The Department of Defense explained that "the National Guard will continue to protect the capital until President Trump determines that order has been restored." Unlike the 50 U.S. states, Washington DC is a self-governing district without a state government or governor, so the president can control public safety without a special approval process. However, in order to maintain federal control beyond 30 days, approval from both houses of Congress is required.

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