Pam Bondi Appoints DEA Head as Emergency Police Commissioner in DC
Pam Bondi appointed DEA Administrator Terry Cole as Washington DC's emergency police chief, prompting DC's mayor and attorney general to file a lawsuit against the federal takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Washington DC has filed a lawsuit against the federal government after US Attorney General Pam Bondi named DEA Administrator Terry Cole as the city’s emergency police commissioner, effectively placing the Metropolitan Police Department under federal command.
Federal Takeover Sparks Legal Battle
DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb argued the administration’s use of the 1970 Home Rule Act to deploy National Guard troops and federal agents is an illegal power grab. The suit requests a judge to block Bondi’s order and prevent the DEA head from assuming any command within MPD.
DEA Administrator Granted Powers
In her order, Bondi stated Cole would assume "all the powers and duties" of locally appointed Police Chief Pamela Smith, requiring Smith to seek his approval before issuing directives. The move follows President Trump’s directive to use federal forces to combat crime in Washington DC.
Local Officials Fight Back
Mayor Muriel Bowser and Schwalb branded the order "unlawful" and said Smith is not obliged to comply. They highlighted the absence of any emergency justifying unprecedented federal intervention.
Crime Data Disputes Emergency Claim
Despite claims of rising crime, DC police statistics show violent offenses fell after peaking in 2023 and reached a 30-year low in 2024. Preliminary 2025 data indicates a continued decline, with violent crime down 26% and robberies down 28% year-to-date.
Bondi’s appointment of the DEA chief has triggered a legal battle as DC officials argue the federal takeover exceeds lawful authority amid declining crime rates.
This topic was reported by BBC News.
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