Trump has nominated Terry Cole to become the next administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration. (AP / Virginia.gov)
"We are not backing down, as President Trump remains in control under the law to determine what is necessary and appropriate," the spokesperson added.
Washington, D.C., Police Chief Pamela Smith will technically stay in her position, but Cole will play a key role in making sure city leaders such as Smith and Mayor Muriel Bowser comply with the federal government’s requests, especially in cooperation with immigration authorities.
Dozens of the arrests already made since the takeover have been of illegal immigrants, as ICE and other federal agencies are patrolling the streets of the capital.
"Attorney General Bondi just issued a new directive to Mayor Bowser requiring MPD to provide the services found necessary by her designee, DEA Administrator Terry Cole, to comply fully and completely with federal immigration law and authorities, regardless of any policies MPD might otherwise have. President Trump will continue pursuing all efforts to Make DC Safe Again and end violent crime despite liberal opposition," White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement.
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Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and his wife Suzanne Youngkin arrive for the third day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 17, 2024. (Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images)
"Terry Cole, who is now director and administrator of DEA, and is leading this effort on behalf of the administration, is the best man in the country to do this. I have huge confidence in him, and I want to thank President Trump for taking this big step," the Republican governor added.
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Youngkin noted in February that Cole played a major role in tackling illegal drugs in the commonwealth.
"His leadership of our Operation FREE initiative in Virginia resulted in the seizure of tens of thousands of pounds of illicit drugs—including more than 70 million lethal doses of fentanyl—and has become a standard for collaboration between federal, state and local law enforcement," Youngkin stated. "He will put the safety and security of Americans first as head of the DEA. It’s a great day to be an American and a bad day to be a drug dealer."
Fox News Digital's Stephanie Samsel contributed to this report.
Cameron Arcand is a politics writer at Fox News Digital in Washington D.C. Story tips can be sent to Cameron.Arcand@Fox.com and on Twitter: @cameron_arcand
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/who-terry-cole