DC’s Attorney General Calls On Police Chief To Ignore Anti-Sanctuary City Order

The attorney general of Washington, D.C., is arguing that city leaders are “not legally obligated” to adhere to an executive order ending sanctuary policies.

Attorney General Pam Bondi issued an executive order on Thursday dismantling policies within the District of Columbia that protect illegal migrants and cementing the federal government’s hold on local law enforcement. However, Democratic D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb submitted a letter later that evening that called on Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief of Police Pamela Smith to ignore the order.

“It is my opinion that the Bondi order is unlawful, and that you are not legally obligated to follow it,” Shwalb wrote to Smith, a letter that was shared on social media by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.

“Having been duly appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council, you are the lawfully appointed Chief of Police of the District of Columbia,” Shwalb continued. “Therefore, members of MPD must continue to follow your orders and not the orders of any official not appointed by the Mayor.”

The Department of Justice and the MPD did not respond to a request for comment from the 🏢Daily Caller News Foundation about Schwalb’s determination.

Earlier on Thursday, Smith released a memo that paved the way for more cooperation between local law enforcement and