Trump threatens national emergency in Washington, D.C. over ICE dispute

US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he would declare a national emergency and place Washington, D.C. under federal administration after Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that her police force would not cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Essentially, this involves providing information about individuals who are living or entering the US illegally. Critics see Trump's threat as another step toward excessive federal power.

The remarks came after several thousand protesters demonstrated this month against Trump's use of the National Guard in the capital in August. He justified the move as a way to restore “law, order, and public safety” after calling crime a plague on the city.

“In just a few weeks. The place is absolutely booming… for the first time in decades, virtually NO CRIME,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He blamed the “radical left Democrats” for pressuring Bowser to inform the federal government about her non-cooperation with ICE.

The National Guard serves as a militia under the authority of the governors of the 50 states, except when called into federal service. The D.C. National Guard reports directly to the president.

(reuters, est)