National Guard troops have begun appearing on the streets of Washington, DC, a day after President Donald Trump ordered their deployment and took control of the city’s police force, arguing that violent crime there is “out of control.”
Armored vehicles were spotted in urban centers and tourist areas around the US capital on Tuesday evening, according to BBC reports.
Officials announced that 800 National Guard troops and 500 federal law enforcement agents are expected to be deployed.
Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat who has rejected claims that crime in her city is spiraling, described the troop deployment as an “authoritarian push.”
Trump, a Republican, has also threatened similar deployments in New York and Chicago—two other Democrat-controlled cities.
Since Trump’s Monday announcement, Guard troops have been seen entering the US capital, setting up barricades outside government buildings, and taking photos with tourists.
On Monday night, 23 people were arrested by federal agents, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. The agents are assisting local law enforcement.
Leavitt stated that the arrests were made for murder, firearms offenses, drug trafficking, indecent acts, stalking, reckless driving, and other crimes.
“This is only the beginning,” Leavitt said at a press conference.
“Over the next month, the Trump administration will relentlessly pursue and arrest every violent criminal in the District who breaks the law, undermines public safety, and endangers law-abiding Americans.”
