PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SAYS HE’S PLACING THE WASHINGTON, D.C., POLICE DEPARTMENT UNDER FEDERAL CONTROL AND DEPLOYING THE NATIONAL GUARD TO MAKE THE NATION'S CAPITAL SAFER.

 

SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

“This is liberation day in DC and we’re going to take our capital back.”

 

TRUMP HAS PROMISED NEW STEPS TO TACKLE HOMELESSNESS AND CRIME IN WASHINGTON, PROMPTING THE CITY'S MAYOR TO VOICE CONCERNS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL USE OF THE NATIONAL GUARD TO PATROL THE STREETS.

 

FOR TRUMP, THE EFFORT TO TAKE OVER PUBLIC SAFETY IN WASHINGTON REFLECTS A NEXT STEP IN HIS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENDA AFTER HIS AGGRESSIVE PUSH TO STOP ILLEGAL BORDER CROSSINGS.

BUT THE MOVE INVOLVES AT LEAST 500 FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS, RAISING FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW AN INCREASINGLY EMBOLDENED FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL INTERACT WITH ITS STATE AND LOCAL COUNTERPARTS.