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According to CNN, Judge Reyes warned that unless the DOJ rewrote its order by 6:30 p.m., she would issue a restraining order to halt Trump’s move. The federal lawyers quickly caved, agreeing that Cole would not serve as the city’s emergency police commissioner.
“DOJ lawyers agreed that Terry Cole is NOT going to be the emergency police commissioner after Judge Reyes threatened to issue restraining order.”
Reyes then instructed DOJ attorneys to rewrite the section of Bondi’s directive that put Cole directly in charge of the Metropolitan Police Department. Instead, Cole would now be required to work through Mayor Muriel Bowser, rather than issuing orders straight to MPD Chief Pamela Smith.
“He’s going to have to go through the Mayor,” Judge Reyes declared after DOJ and D.C. lawyers said they needed time to amend the language.
The rebuke came after a week of stunning displays of confusion inside the D.C. government. Police Chief Pamela Smith raised eyebrows when she froze up after a reporter asked her about the new chain of command.
WATCH:
“What does that mean?” Chief Smith asked, looking bewildered, before Mayor Bowser swooped in to cut her off and take control of the microphone.
The moment underscored just how messy and chaotic the Biden-appointed leadership has become. Instead of clarity and strength, D.C. residents witnessed public officials bickering over who actually runs the city’s police.
Despite Trump’s attempt to restore order, Judge Reyes effectively put power back into the hands of a mayor and police chief who have already admitted they don’t even understand who’s in charge.
And that’s the most disturbing takeaway of all — Washington, D.C. is facing a historic crime crisis, yet thanks to a Biden judge, the same confused leadership remains in control.
For now, Attorney General Pam Bondi’s effort to federalize D.C.’s police force has been blunted. But as the violence rages on, the battle over who truly commands the capital’s streets is just getting started.
