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.

Washington, DC, Police Chief Pamela Smith signed an executive order Thursday allowing DC police officers to share information about people not in their custody with federal immigration enforcement agencies such as ICE — as President Donald Trump continues his federal takeover of law enforcement in the nation’s capital and crackdown on illegal immigration.

DC Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith issued an order giving cops the authority to notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) about potential illegal immigrants not in MPD custody.

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.

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.

Chief Pamela Smith and Mayor Muriel Bowser visited the Justice Department Tuesday morning for meetings with their new law enforcement supervisors.

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

Attorney General Pam Bondi designated Terry Cole, the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, as "Emergency Police Commissioner," effectively handing over all the powers and duties vested in the Metropolitan Police Chief to him.

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.

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

When asked what the first thing she wants to do as chief of police, Smith's answer was simple, "Drive down crime." RELATED: DC Council crime bill passes 12-1

Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday tapped the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) chief to serve as Washington’s “emergency police commissioner,” a move to wrest power from the district’s current police chief amid the Trump administration’s law enforcement takeover.