The newly appointed head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Terry Cole, has been tasked with leading the unprecedented federal law enforcement takeover of Washington, D.C.’s police force. With over two decades of experience at the DEA, where he specialized in dismantling drug trafficking operations, Cole's appointment comes amid a backdrop of contentious discussions surrounding urban crime, despite reports indicating crime rates have recently reached a three-decade low.
Terry Cole's extensive career with the DEA spans 22 years, during which he held various significant positions. His experience includes serving as an agent in critical locations such as Colombia, Afghanistan, and Mexico City. Notably, in the early 2000s, Cole was involved in Plan Colombia, a U.S.-backed initiative aimed at combating drug cartels and corruption in the region. His tenure in Colombia ended dramatically when he and his family were evacuated due to the violent killing of Colombian police officers collaborating with DEA agents.
Following his time in Colombia, Cole served as a group supervisor in Dallas, where he focused on dismantling the trafficking networks of violent Mexican drug organizations. He retired from the DEA in 2020 while acting as the regional director overseeing operations in Mexico, Canada, and Central America. This wealth of experience is expected to be critical as he navigates the complex geopolitical landscape associated with the fight against Latin American drug trafficking.
Between 2023 and 2025, Cole took on the role of Virginia’s Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security under Governor Glenn Youngkin. In this capacity, he managed 11 state public safety agencies, comprising more than 19,000 employees and a substantial annual budget of $5.7 billion. This leadership experience will be pivotal as he steps into his new role overseeing law enforcement in D.C.
At the DEA, Cole leads a federal agency consisting of over 10,000 employees dedicated to combating drug trafficking organizations responsible for distributing illegal substances like cocaine, methamphetamine, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. The opioid crisis has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives in the United States over the past decade, and addressing this issue has become a national priority for the Trump administration.
In his current role, Cole is spearheading initiatives to dismantle Mexican cartels, disrupt their chemical supply chains, and reduce drug-related violence within U.S. communities. Recently, Cole showcased the DEA’s active involvement in D.C. by sharing images on LinkedIn of agents patrolling the streets and responding to fentanyl overdoses.
During a press conference, President Trump announced that Cole would serve as the interim federal administrator of the District of Columbia police department. His primary responsibility will be to coordinate the efforts of D.C. police officers alongside federal agents to intensify crime-fighting measures across the city. Trump emphasized the need for a robust law enforcement presence, stating, “We will have full, seamless, integrated cooperation at all levels of law enforcement.”
Furthermore, Trump indicated that he expects Cole to adopt a rigorous approach towards the D.C. police force, urging him to be “tough” and address the presence of officers who may not align with the administration’s values. This directive has drawn immediate support from Republican officials who believe Cole's experience will contribute significantly to restoring order in Washington, D.C.
Despite the federal intervention, D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser asserted that the city retains control over its police department. She clarified that Chief Pamela Smith remains in command of the Metropolitan Police Department and that the city’s Home Rule charter provides the president with limited authority to request resources for federal purposes during emergencies. Bowser suggested that she does not believe full control of the department has shifted to the federal government.
In response to the changing dynamics, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton and Senator Chris Van Hollen vowed to reintroduce legislation aimed at granting D.C. greater autonomy over its National Guard and police forces. Meanwhile, Cole has expressed a commitment to collaborate with local law enforcement, indicating that federal agents recognize the importance of the D.C. police department's leadership in addressing crime in the district.
Terry Cole’s appointment as the federal overseer of Washington, D.C.'s police force marks a significant shift in law enforcement strategy amidst ongoing crime debates. With a rich background in combating drug trafficking and a focus on enhancing public safety, Cole's leadership will be closely watched as he navigates the complexities of this unprecedented federal intervention.
