Brett Smiley

Brett P. Smiley
Born	Template:Birth year and age
Birthplace	United States
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Title	38th Mayor of Providence
Known for	Serving as Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island

Brett P. Smiley (born 1979) is an American politician serving as the 38th Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island. A member of the Democratic Party, Smiley assumed office after winning the 2022 mayoral election, becoming the first openly LGBT person elected mayor of Providence. His tenure has been defined by engagement with a range of municipal governance issues, including public safety, housing policy, immigration enforcement, and emergency management. In January 2026, Smiley signed an executive order prohibiting the use of city property for civil immigration enforcement activities, and in February 2026, he led the city's response to a major blizzard that required multi-day snow cleanup operations and coordination with the state of Rhode Island. Prior to becoming mayor, Smiley served in various roles in Rhode Island state government, including as Director of the Rhode Island Department of Administration under Governor Gina Raimondo.

Early Life

Brett P. Smiley was born in 1979. Details regarding his upbringing, family background, and childhood have been documented in various local media profiles over the course of his political career in Rhode Island. Smiley has long been associated with the Providence civic community and became active in Democratic politics in the state at a relatively young age.

Career

Early Political Career and State Government

Before seeking the mayoralty, Smiley held positions within Rhode Island state government. He served as Director of the Rhode Island Department of Administration, a cabinet-level position, under Governor Gina Raimondo. In this capacity, he was involved in overseeing state operations, budgeting, and administrative functions. He also served as the state's Chief Operating Officer, a role that gave him experience in managing large-scale governmental operations. These positions provided Smiley with significant administrative experience that would later inform his approach to municipal governance.

Mayor of Providence

Smiley was elected as the 38th Mayor of Providence in 2022, succeeding Jorge Elorza. He was the first openly gay person elected to the office. Upon taking office, Smiley faced a range of challenges confronting the city, including issues related to public safety, housing affordability, infrastructure, and fiscal management.

Housing Policy

Housing affordability has been a prominent issue during Smiley's tenure. In February 2026, Smiley publicly articulated his opposition to a proposed rent stabilization ordinance in Providence. The mayor elaborated on his reasons for opposing the measure, which had been proposed as a means to address rising rents in the city. Smiley's position on rent stabilization placed him at odds with some members of the Providence City Council and housing advocates who argued that such measures were necessary to protect tenants from displacement. The debate over rent stabilization reflected broader national discussions about housing policy in American cities experiencing affordability pressures.

Immigration Enforcement Executive Order

On January 24, 2026, Mayor Smiley signed Executive Order 2026-1, formally titled "Prohibiting the Use of City Property for Civil Immigration Enforcement Activities." The order prohibited the use of city property for civil immigration enforcement purposes, a measure that positioned Providence among a number of American cities that have adopted policies limiting local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The executive order was issued during a period of heightened national debate over immigration policy, particularly in the context of the federal government's enforcement priorities. By signing the order, Smiley signaled the city's stance on protecting immigrant communities within Providence from certain forms of federal enforcement activity conducted on municipal property.

Public Safety and the Brown University Shooting

Public safety emerged as a critical concern during Smiley's tenure. In December 2025, a mass shooting occurred at Brown University, one of Providence's most prominent institutions. Mayor Smiley, alongside Attorney General Peter F. Neronha, the Providence Police Department, and the Rhode Island State Police, announced the death of the suspect in the shooting. The incident represented one of the most significant public safety events in Providence's recent history and required coordination between multiple law enforcement agencies. The mayor's role in the aftermath included communicating with the public and working with law enforcement partners to provide information about the investigation and its resolution.

February 2026 Blizzard Response

In late February 2026, Providence was struck by a significant blizzard that tested the city's emergency management capabilities. The storm brought whiteout conditions to the region, prompting Mayor Smiley to take a series of actions aimed at protecting public safety and managing the city's response to the severe weather event.

In advance of the storm, Mayor Smiley held a briefing on February 22, 2026, to update the public on the city's preparedness measures. The city implemented a parking ban and took enforcement action against vehicles that remained on streets, towing dozens of cars and issuing hundreds of tickets to violators of the parking ban. Smiley stated that these measures were necessary to facilitate snow removal operations.

As the storm intensified on February 23, 2026, Smiley warned residents against venturing out during whiteout conditions. He continued to urge residents to stay off the roads as the blizzard produced dangerous travel conditions throughout the city. A statewide travel ban was implemented, though it was subsequently lifted at noon on February 24. Smiley expressed his preference that the travel ban had remained in place longer, noting that increased vehicular traffic on the roads complicated snow removal efforts.

On February 24, 2026, Smiley sought assistance from the state of Rhode Island, predicting that snow cleanup would require multiple days. The mayor indicated that hospitals and main roads would be prioritized during the cleanup, with side streets addressed subsequently. The scale of the storm and the complexity of the cleanup operation led to questions about the city's capacity to manage the recovery effort efficiently.

Local media scrutinized the city's preparedness and capacity for managing the storm's aftermath. GoLocalProv published an article questioning whether Providence could adequately clean up from the storm, reflecting public concern about the city's snow removal infrastructure and response capabilities. The blizzard response illustrated the challenges facing Providence's municipal government in managing large-scale weather emergencies with limited resources.

Personal Life

Brett Smiley is openly gay, making him the first openly LGBT person to be elected Mayor of Providence. His sexual orientation has been noted as a milestone in the political history of both Providence and Rhode Island. Beyond his role in city government, Smiley has been a figure in Rhode Island's civic life for many years, having established a career in public service through successive positions in state and local government.