WASHINGTON - Donald Trump is preparing to deploy of as many as 1 000 National Guard troops to flood the streets of Washington DC as federal agents began making arrests on Sunday night.
Trump was expected to announce the deployment during a White House press conference yesterday amid a crackdown on crime as he continues to push for a federal takeover of the city.
‘‘Be prepared! There will be no: Mr Nice Guy. We want our Capital back,’’ Trump warned on Truth Social.
Photos taken late Sunday night saw several federal authorities working in coordination with one another including the FBI and Border Patrol.
In one instance, a man was arrested along U Street in the capital and could be seen being detained by police as FBI and Border Patrol agents assisted.
A short distance away Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agents could also be seen standing guard in Dupont Circle.
It came as Trump deployed 120 FBI agents to work alongside DC police and other federal law enforcement officers in the nation’s capital working the night shift
The National Guard mobilisation was expected to be announced yesterday, as US officials told NBC4 Washington that Trump was considering deploying 1 000 troops.
The White House declined to confirm details but signalled Trump is prepared to act.
‘‘We won’t get ahead of the president on any potential announcements,’’ one official told NBC News, ‘‘but the president has been clear that all options are on the table when it comes to making DC safe again.’’
Trump has been suggesting he would introduce a crackdown in the city for days, using his Truth Social platform to promise a major announcement about his anti-crime plan for the capital.
Trump has deployed 120 FBI agents to overnight patrols in Washington, DC, vowing to clear homeless encampments and crackdown on crime despite city leaders insisting crime is down. (Pic: Getty images)