D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith faces social media mockery after appearing confused by reporter's question about chain of command following Trump's federalization of department.

The Washington, DC police chief's apparent bewilderment over a very simple question from a reporter could have a simple explanation.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb are forcefully rejecting U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s late-night order attempting to sideline the local D.C. police chief, calling it unlawful and beyond federal authority.

Chief Pamela Smith pushed back Friday morning on Attorney General Pam Bondi’s move to install the Drug Enforcement Administration chief at the head of the district’s police, warning that the directive could upend the department’s operations.

Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a new order Friday giving control of Washington, DC’s Metropolitan Police Department back to Chief Pamela Smith, but would still require the city to answer to the Trump administration for the time being.

D.C. District judge Ana Reyes has scheduled an emergency hearing for 2 p.m. Friday on D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb's request for a restraining order against U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi's directive assuming control over the Metropolitan Police Department.

Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and police chief Pamela Smith spoke to reporters after a meeting Tuesday morning with Attorney General Pam Bondi, where they agreed that President Trump's takeover of the city police is legal under the Home Rule Charter and that the move can help to make the city safer.

In her order, DC Police Chief Pamela A. Smith said, “members may assist federal immigration enforcement agencies," including in traffic stops.

D.C. police officers can assist federal immigration agencies in limited circumstances following an Executive Order issued by Police Chief Pamela Smith on Thursday.

WASHINGTON — DC Police Chief Pamela Smith is paving the way for limited cooperation with federal immigration personnel amid a government takeover of the department, according to an executive order obtained by WUSA9 on Thursday.

Pamela A. Smith takes the oath as the Metropolitan Police Department’s acting chief. (Courtesy DC government) D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has nominated former U.S. Park Police chief Pamela A. Smith ...

An executive order issued Aug. 14 reverses a long-standing policy prohibiting local officers from assisting ICE agents.