Attorney General Bondi Appoints Emergency DC Police Commissioner, Sparking Federal-Local Power Struggle
Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed Terry Cole as Washington's emergency police commissioner, granting him broad authority and rescinding immigration directives, sparking significant opposition from DC officials.
Overview
Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed Terry Cole as Washington's emergency police commissioner, a move that immediately faced significant opposition from DC's mayor and local police department.
Commissioner Cole received broad authority, mandating all Metropolitan Police Department leaders, including the chief, to obtain his explicit approval before issuing any new directives.
Attorney General Bondi also unilaterally rescinded existing police directives specifically concerning immigration enforcement, making their re-issuance contingent upon Commissioner Cole's explicit approval.
The decision to appoint an emergency commissioner and unilaterally alter police directives has been met with strong criticism and pushback from various DC officials.
This situation highlights a significant power struggle between federal and local authorities regarding the control and operational policies of Washington's police force.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story by emphasizing the D.C. government's perspective, portraying the federal action as an "unlawful" and "hostile takeover." They highlight concerns about threats to "Home Rule" and public safety, while consistently countering the Trump administration's stated justifications with D.C. officials' counter-arguments and crime statistics.
Sources (19)
Center (7)
FAQ
Attorney General Pam Bondi issued an order appointing Terry Cole as the emergency police commissioner, asserting authority over DC police leadership; however, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has declared the order illegal, indicating a contested legal basis for the appointment.
Terry Cole is the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and was named by Pam Bondi as the emergency police commissioner for Washington, DC's Metropolitan Police Department.
Bondi rescinded existing Metropolitan Police Department directives related to immigration enforcement and mandated that all MPD leaders, including the chief, obtain Terry Cole's explicit approval before issuing any new directives.
DC officials, including Mayor Muriel Bowser, have strongly opposed the appointment, labeling it illegal and expressing significant concerns about federal overreach into local police operations.
The appointment highlights a significant power struggle between federal and local authorities over control and operational policies of Washington's police force, underscoring tensions regarding jurisdiction and governance in the district.
History
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