Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith found herself at the center of intense social media criticism Tuesday after appearing confused by a reporter’s question about the department’s chain of command following President Trump’s federalization order.
The embarrassing exchange occurred during a press conference Tuesday morning when a reporter asked Smith a straightforward question about the department’s structure under the new federal control.
“Can you tell us what the chain of command is now?” the reporter inquired during the media briefing.
Smith’s response immediately raised eyebrows as she appeared genuinely puzzled by the basic law enforcement terminology.
“What does that mean?” the police chief responded, prompting the reporter to elaborate further on the question.
The reporter attempted to clarify, asking whether Attorney General Pam Bondi would be speaking directly to the mayor or how the new organizational structure would function under Trump’s emergency order.
Mayor Muriel Bowser quickly intervened to answer the question that Smith seemed unable to address, explaining the department’s chain of command following Trump’s invocation of section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act.
The press conference followed Bowser’s meeting with Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding the federalization order that Trump signed Monday.
Bowser explained that the department’s basic operations would remain largely unchanged under the new federal oversight structure.
“Our organizational chart, how we do business, how we fund the police, none of that has changed,” Bowser stated during the briefing.
The mayor clarified that Bondi would serve as Trump’s representative under the federalization order and that both officials maintained regular communication.
“We have more police, and we want to make sure we use them,” Bowser added regarding the increased federal support.
Smith’s apparent confusion about basic police terminology quickly spread across social media platforms, generating widespread criticism from conservative commentators and citizens.
The popular conservative X account Libs of TikTok shared the exchange with followers, writing “This is who is in charge of the police in D.C…”
WATCH:
CJ Pearson, National Co-Chair of the RNC Youth Advisory Council, posted a harsh assessment of the incident, stating “This is why DEI is a disease.”
Critics pointed to Smith’s background as the department’s first chief equity officer, where she previously “led the department’s efforts on diversity, equity and inclusion” according to her official biography.
Another conservative X account expressed disbelief at the exchange, posting “WTF! The DC Police Chief doesn’t even know what Chain of Command means.”
The Trump War Room account highlighted Smith’s previous role, posting “Smith previously served as the Police Department’s ‘Chief Equity Officer.’”
Additional critics on social media expressed shock at the police chief’s apparent unfamiliarity with fundamental law enforcement concepts.
Trending Politics co-owner Collin Rugg posted about the incident, writing “NEW: Washington DC Police Chief Pamela A. Smith doesn’t know what the ‘chain of command’ means. … Yikes.”
Fox Digital contacted both the Metropolitan Police Department and Bowser’s office seeking comment on the exchange and resulting social media backlash but received no immediate response.
Trump’s decision to federalize the D.C. police department came in response to a series of violent incidents that have plagued the nation’s capital in recent months.
The federalization order followed several high-profile attacks, including the fatal shooting of a congressional intern in June and the killing of two Israeli embassy staffers in May.
A brutal attack on a former Department of Government Efficiency staffer in August further contributed to Trump’s decision to take federal control of the police force, Resist the Mainstream previously reported.
Fox reported that during Monday’s announcement, Trump painted a stark picture of conditions in the nation’s capital before implementing the emergency measures.
“Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged-out maniacs and homeless people,” he said.
“And we’re not going to let it happen anymore. We’re not going to take it.”
Trump characterized the federal takeover as “Liberation Day in D.C.,” emphasizing his administration’s commitment to restoring order to Washington.
“We’re going to take our capital back,” Trump declared during the announcement of the emergency measures.
The president explained his legal authority for the action, stating “We’re taking it back under the authority vested in me as the president of the United States.”
“I’m officially invoking section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act. You know what that is. And placing the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control.”
Trump also announced the deployment of National Guard forces to assist with restoring public safety in Washington D.C.
“In addition, I’m deploying the National Guard to help reestablish law, order and public safety in Washington, D.C. And they’re going to be allowed to do their job properly,” he said Monday.
The post D.C. Police Chief Stumped by Basic ‘Chain of Command’ Question Sparks Outrage From MAGA Amid Trump Crackdown appeared first on Resist the Mainstream.
Click this link for the original source of this article.
Author: Jordyn M.
This content is courtesy of, and owned and copyrighted by, https://resistthemainstream.org and its author. This content is made available by use of the public RSS feed offered by the host site and is used for educational purposes only. If you are the author or represent the host site and would like this content removed now and in the future, please contact USSANews.com using the email address in the Contact page found in the website menu.
