Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith is reportedly stepping down after just two years in the job, Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser announced Monday morning — offering praise for Smith’s accomplishments but providing no explanation for her sudden departure.
“Chief Smith drastically drove down violent crime, drove down the homicide rate to its lowest levels in eight years, and helped us restore a sense of safety and accountability,” Bowser said in her statement.
The mayor, who recently revealed she will not seek reelection in 2026, did not clarify why Smith is leaving the department at a moment when public safety remains a dominant concern in the nation’s capital.
Smith’s exit comes after months of friction between the city’s leadership and the White House. President Donald Trump has repeatedly blasted D.C. officials for mismanaging crime, declaring in August that the city was engulfed in a “tragic emergency” of lawlessness.
Days later, Trump initiated a 30-day crime emergency, sending in the National Guard and installing DEA Administrator Terry Cole as “emergency police commissioner” with full authority over MPD operations. Under the emergency order, D.C. police were required to obtain Cole’s approval before issuing any directive.
The Trump administration ultimately reached an agreement on August 15 allowing Smith to retain operational control of MPD. Even so, the episode highlighted deep concerns from the federal government over the city’s inability to rein in spiraling crime levels — concerns Trump has publicly aired throughout his second term.
Smith told Fox 5 that the National Guard’s presence and the emergency intervention did not influence her decision to step down. She said her choice came after traveling to Arkansas for Thanksgiving and reflecting on her desire to spend more time with family.
She did not take reporters’ questions at the press conference following the late November shooting of National Guard agents by an Afghan national — an incident that further intensified scrutiny of D.C.’s public safety failures. Instead, Executive Assistant Chief Jeffery Carroll delivered remarks on her behalf.
Smith previously served 24 years with the U.S. Park Police and spent one year as that agency’s chief. She became the first black woman to serve as permanent chief of the Metropolitan Police Department — a historic milestone that Bowser pointed to frequently during Smith’s tenure.
Still, her leadership coincided with an unprecedented level of federal oversight, as the Trump administration deployed additional resources to stabilize a city plagued by violent crime, repeat offenders, and high-profile security failures. While Bowser praised Smith’s performance, the chief’s sudden departure raises questions about internal pressures and the strained relationship between local officials and the White House.
Smith’s resignation adds yet another layer of uncertainty for a city still grappling with safety concerns and political tensions. With Bowser already planning her exit from office and Trump pushing aggressively for accountability and reform, the future of D.C.’s police leadership — and the direction of the city’s crime strategy — remains far from settled.
About Post Author
