Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith is facing criticism after an exchange with reporters on Tuesday in which she appeared not to understand a question about the department’s “chain of command” following President Donald Trump’s federalization of the force, as reported by Fox News.

The incident occurred during a press conference with Mayor Muriel Bowser after Bowser met with Attorney General Pam Bondi. A reporter asked Smith, “Can you tell us what the chain of command is now?” Smith replied, “What does that mean?”

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Feb 21 2025 Washington DC Pam Bondi walked out to do a interview with Fox .she did not talk to the press on the way there .

The reporter clarified, “Well, is it Pam Bondi speaking to the mayor? Is it you? How does this work?”

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At that point, Bowser stepped in, explaining that “our organizational chart, how we do business, how we fund the police, none of that has changed.”

She noted that Bondi is acting as Trump’s “proxy” under the federalization order and that they are in close communication. “We have more police, and we want to make sure we use them,” Bowser added.

Trump invoked Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act on Monday, placing the D.C. police force under federal control.

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Donald Trump speaks during a rally at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno on Oct. 11, 2024.

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The move followed a series of high-profile violent crimes, including the June fatal shooting of a congressional intern, the May killing of two Israeli embassy staffers, and an August assault on a former Department of Government Efficiency staffer.

The order also authorized the deployment of the National Guard to the city.

The exchange over the chain of command quickly circulated online and drew significant backlash.

“This is who is in charge of the police in D.C.,” the account Libs of TikTok wrote on X, posting the clip. RNC Youth Advisory Council National Co-Chair CJ Pearson commented, “This is why DEI is a disease.”

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Critics also pointed to Smith’s previous role as the department’s first chief equity officer, where she oversaw diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

“WTF! The DC Police Chief doesn’t even know what Chain of Command means,” one X account posted.

The Trump War Room account highlighted her DEI background, while Trending Politics co-owner Collin Rugg wrote, “NEW: Washington DC Police Chief Pamela A. Smith doesn’t know what the ‘chain of command’ means. … Yikes.”

Fox News Digital reached out to the Metropolitan Police Department and Bowser’s office for comment but did not receive an immediate response.

Announcing the federalization, Trump declared, “Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged-out maniacs and homeless people. And we’re not going to let it happen anymore. We’re not going to take it.”

He called the action “Liberation Day in D.C.” and said the National Guard would be “allowed to do their job properly” to restore law, order, and public safety.

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