Attorney General Pam Bondi has appointed Terry Cole, the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), as Washington D.C.’s “emergency” police chief. The decision, announced Thursday, comes as part of efforts to carry out President Donald Trump’s plan to take control of the D.C. police department.
With Cole taking over the role, it’s unclear what will happen to Pamela Smith, the current police chief. Bondi said Cole now has full authority over the Metropolitan Police Department, meaning officers must get his approval before issuing any orders.
5 Facts About Terry Cole
- Over Three Decades in Law Enforcement – Cole has worked in law enforcement for 31 years, including 22 years with the DEA.
- Worldwide Experience – He has served in multiple locations in the U.S. and abroad, including Oklahoma, New York, Washington D.C., Colombia, Afghanistan, and the Middle East.
- Former State Official – From 2023 to 2025, Cole was Virginia’s Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security in Governor Youngkin’s cabinet before becoming DEA administrator.
- Military and Police Background – Cole served as a Naval Academy Blue and Gold Officer and was a certified police officer in New York.
- Strong Academic Credentials – He earned a criminal justice degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology, leadership certificates from the University of Virginia and the University of Notre Dame, and completed advanced studies in artificial intelligence and machine learning at MIT’s Sloan Executive School.
The appointment raises questions about the future of Chief Smith. Before Bondi’s announcement, Smith directed D.C. police to share certain information with immigration agencies about people not in custody, such as during traffic stops. The Justice Department said Bondi opposed this move, arguing it kept “sanctuary” policies in place.
