BREAKING: Seattle Police Chief @CarmenBest is going to resign, two sources familiar with her decision confirm. The announcement is imminent, I'm told. There is an 11am presser scheduled for tomorrow with the Mayor. Unclear if announcement will take place then. (THREAD) #Q13FOX

The Chief's decision comes as the @SeattleCouncil made a series of cuts to @SeattlePD's budget today, including forced layoffs of officers and cuts to pay for command staff.

The budget cuts come after months of protests following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, which spurred pledges from @SeattleCouncil members to defund SPD by 50%.

Chief Best has been vocal in her opposition to those cuts, and told me in an interview today that she felt targeted by a "punitive" proposal to cut her pay by 40%: "I do feel like it's ... animus toward me specifically."

Chief Carmen Best is the first black woman to lead the @SeattlePD. She is well respected by the rank and file, as well as community leaders. Seattle's political and activist class will have to own this. (END THREAD)