The Democratic mayor of Washington, Muriel Bowser, has authority over the city's Metropolitan Police Department. But a federal law from 1973 known as the Home Rule Act allows the president to take control of the MPD for 30 days during an emergency.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would ask the Republican-controlled Congress to extend federal control of Washington's city police force beyond 30 days, escalating his campaign to exert presidential power over the nation's capital.

President Trump promised a weekend crackdown on Washington, D.C.'s homeless population and criminals. Trump activated federal agents to also be a show of force across the district.