United States President Donald Trump has announced that he is placing the nation’s capital under direct federal control and will be sending in the US National Guard.
At a press conference on Monday, Trump announced it was “liberation day” in DC, claiming a crime spree that is not supported by evidence.
“I’m officially invoking Section 740, of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act. You know what that is, and placing the DC Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control,” he said.
“I’m deploying the National Guard to help re-establish law, order and public safety in Washington, DC. They’re going to be allowed to do their job properly.”
Critics have said the plan would trample on the rights of residents in a city where advocates have for decades pushed for more autonomy, including statehood.
