DC Police Chief Ripped for ‘Mind Blowing’ Response to Basic Policing Question

Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith is facing backlash and mockery on social media after she appeared to not understand a question from the media about the department’s “chain of command” amid President Donald Trump’s recent federalization of the department.

“Can you tell us what the chain of command is now?” a reporter was heard asking Smith during a press conference Tuesday morning.

“What does that mean?” the police chief responded.

“Well, is it Pam Bondi speaking to the mayor? Is it you? How does this work?” the reporter continued, before Bowser stepped in to explain the department’s chain of command following Trump invoking section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act Monday, which allows the president to assume emergency control of the capital’s police force.

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“Our organizational chart, how we do business, how we fund the police, none of that has changed,” Bowser explained, adding that Bondi is working as Trump’s “proxy” under the federalization order and that the pair are in close communication.

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Smith previously served as the department’s first chief equity officer, where she “led the department’s efforts on diversity, equity and inclusion,” according to her biography.

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[Editor’s Note: Here is video of the interaction.]