President claims US capital ‘overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals … and homeless people’

Donald Trump placed the DC Metropolitan police department under federal control on Monday, deploying the national guard while describing a “lawless” city in ways that are sharply at odds with crime statistics reported by the police.

Invoking section 740, of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, the president vowed to allow police to “do whatever the hell they want” in the face of provocations. “That’s the only language they [alleged criminals] understand.

“They like to spit in the face of the police,” Trump said at the White House. “You spit, and we hit, and they get hit real hard.”

At his press conference, where reporters were squeezed into both aisles, Trump continued: “I don’t like being up here talking about how unsafe and how dirty and disgusting this once beautiful Capital was.”

He continued: “We’re declaring a public safety emergency in the District of Columbia and attorney general Pam Bondi is taking command of the Metropolitan police department as of this moment.

Well, I guess this’ll make for good TV.

      • coyotino [he/him]@beehaw.orgEnglish
        5·
        2 days ago

        he’s been announcing his intent to stay in the White House after his 4 years. Martial law would be one way to achieve that.

        • Chris Remington@beehaw.org
          1·
          2 days ago

          he’s been announcing his intent to stay in the White House after his 4 years.

          He said the same thing the last time he was president. He’s full of shit.

          • LukeZaz@beehaw.orgEnglish
            2·
            2 days ago

            I think the key difference this time is that he can’t legally continue to be president after this term’s up, so things like martial law become the only way to actually accomplish it. He could bank on re-election before. He can’t now.

            I don’t know if I’m ready to say he will do this, but it is unfortunately within the realm of possibility, and significantly moreso than it was in 2020. (Also, January 6th happened.)