US President Donald Trump said he plans to patrol Washington’s streets on Thursday with troops he deployed to the US capital in a show of force against what he claims is a “crime emergency”.
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Trump ordered hundreds of National Guard to deploy in Washington last week vowing to “take our capital back”, despite protests by some residents and statistics showing violent offences falling.
“I’m going to be going out tonight I think with the police and with the military of course … We’re going to be doing a job,” the Republican told Todd Starnes, a host for right-wing media outlet Newsmax.
He spoke one day after his vice-president, J.D. Vance, was greeted by boos and shouts of “Free DC” – referring to the District of Columbia – on his own meet-and-greet with troops deployed in the city.
The DC National Guard has mobilised 800 troops for the mission, while Republican states Ohio, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia are sending a total of around 1,200 more.
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They have been spotted in major tourist areas such as the National Mall and its monuments, the Nationals Park baseball stadium and others.