The Trump administration has scaled back its attempt to assume direct control of Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department after the District of Columbia filed a federal lawsuit challenging the move. Justice Department lawyers told U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes late Friday that Police Chief Pamela Smith will remain in charge of day-to-day operations while the case proceeds, averting an immediate court order that could have blocked the takeover. President Donald Trump earlier in the week declared a crime emergency in the capital, invoked Section 740 of the Home Rule Act and deployed roughly 800 National Guard troops. On Thursday, Attorney General Pam Bondi used that authority to revoke the city’s sanctuary-style immigration limits and named Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Terry Cole “emergency police commissioner,” giving him the powers of the chief and requiring all future directives to carry his approval. District Attorney General Brian Schwalb sued on Friday, arguing that the federal orders exceed the limited, 30-day authority Congress granted for “federal purposes” and threaten the city’s self-government. During a three-hour hearing, Judge Reyes signaled agreement with portions of the city’s argument and pressed the parties to craft a temporary arrangement, leading the Justice Department to retreat from installing Cole at the top of the chain of command. While the leadership question is on hold, Bondi’s directive ending sanctuary policies remains in effect. The administration says multi-agency teams have made 45 arrests, including 29 people lacking legal status, since federal operations began. Trump has asked Congress to extend control beyond the initial 30-day window, a request that would require votes later this year.