President Donald Trump said Thursday he would join law enforcement and National Guard troops in patrolling Washington, DC, after ordering a federal crackdown in the nation’s capital earlier this month. The announcement came as he addressed dozens of officers and Guard members at a US Park Police facility.
“We’re going to make it safe, and we’re going to then go on to other places, but we’re going to stay here for a while,” Trump told the assembled officers, signaling that the effort could expand beyond DC.
Earlier this month, he directed the federal government to take control of the city’s police department and deploy National Guard troops, a move that has sparked backlash among residents.