00:00United States President Donald Trump says he is prepared to declare a national emergency in Washington, D.C. and place the city under federal control.
00:11The announcement comes after the mayor says the city's police will not cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
00:21Trump insisted that the move restored order and improved public safety in the city.
00:25He went further, claiming Washington was now free of crime for the first time in decades.
00:31The President's remarks follow protests earlier this month, sparked by his August deployment of National Guard troops.
00:38Trump had already placed the city's police under direct federal control and authorised federal law enforcement, including ICE agents, to patrol Washington's streets, with no timeline has been given for their withdrawal.
00:50Critics say Trump's threat amounts to a federal overreach, pointing out that more than 2,000 troops are already stationed in the capital.
01:00In Washington, the National Guard operates differently than in the states.
01:05It reports directly to the President and can be federalised at his command.
01:09Thank you, sir.
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