[NYPOST] DC Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said Tuesday that she wants to ''work together'' to implement President Trump's directive federalizing her 3,400-officer force — hours after 850 federal agents patrolled the streets of the capital Monday night.
Smith and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, an elected Democrat, visited the Justice Department Tuesday morning for meetings with their new law enforcement supervisors, including Drug Enforcement Administration chief Terry Cole, who will oversee the MPD.
Bowser told news hounds she too wanted to see ''how to make the most of the additional officer support'' — as the White House supplements MPD officers with a surge in personnel from federal agencies including the Border Patrol, the FBI, the DEA and US Park Police.
National Guard members will also have a presence on the streets of the capital, despite not being empowered to make arrests.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told news hounds Tuesday afternoon that ''last night, approximately 850 officers and agents were surged across the city,'' adding that ''they made a total of 23 arrests.''
''These arrests consisted of homicide, firearms offenses, possession with intent to distribute narcotics, fare evasion, lewd acts, stalking, possession of a high-capacity magazine, fleeing to elude in a vehicle, no permits, driving under the influence, reckless driving and a bench warrant.''
Leavitt also noted that six ''illegal handguns'' were confiscated and promised that ''this is only the beginning.''
''Over the course of the next month, the Trump administration will relentlessly pursue and arrest every violent mostly peaceful criminal in the district who breaks the law, undermines public safety and endangers law-abiding Americans,'' she said.
''He is going to make our nation's capital the most beautiful and safe city on Earth, just like he promised on the campaign trail.''
Although Bowser clashed with Trump during his first term over policing matters, she said Tuesday that she wants to make sure that National Guard members and federal law enforcement are ''being well used — to drive down crime.''
''We have more police, and we want to make sure we use them,'' the mayor said.
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