After Lawsuit, Pamela Smith Reinstated as D.C. Police Chief After DOJ Reverses Federal Appointment.

After Lawsuit, Pamela Smith Reinstated as D.C. Police Chief After DOJ Reverses Federal Appointment.

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In what some have called a dramatic legal turnaround, D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith has regained full authority over the Metropolitan Police Department after the Justice Department removed its emergency appointee, Terry Cole.

The reversal followed a federal court hearing where the District of Columbia challenged the Trump administration’s use of Section 740 of the Home Rule Act to temporarily federalize D.C.’s police force.

Attorney General Pam Bondi had named Cole, DEA administrator, as emergency chief in a sweeping move to enforce federal immigration cooperation and override D.C.’s sanctuary policies.

The District sued, arguing the appointment violated local autonomy and the Home Rule Act.

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes emphasized that such decisions should be made collaboratively, not imposed unilaterally.

At the hearing’s conclusion, DOJ Deputy Attorney General Yaakov Roth confirmed that Chief Smith would continue leading the department.

Cole will now serve only as a liaison between the White House and MPD during the 30-day federal oversight period. After that, his authority will be nullified unless further action is taken.

This outcome reaffirms D.C.’s right to self-governance and underscores the limits of federal power over local law enforcement.

Residents and civil rights advocates hailed the decision as a victory for democratic accountability and local control.

Yetunde B reports for Yeyetunde’s Blog.

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