Featured Image Credit: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, News, Crime, US News, Politics
Madison Burgess
Topics: Donald Trump, News, Crime, US News, Politics
Donald Trump has sparked concern with comments he made about the Washington DC mayor earlier today (Friday 12 September).
The American president, 79, appeared on Fox News' show Fox & Friends, where he gave an update on the suspect accused of killing activist Charlie Kirk.
And while this was the main takeaway from the interview, the world leader has also caused worry on social media with remarks he made about Washington DC and the 'power' he has.
But first, for those who need a reminder, Trump took over the city's Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) on 11th August to put into place what he called a crackdown on crime.
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He deployed around 800 National Guard members to the capital to take over, in a move that understandably, didn't go down very with local officials.
And to make matters worse, Trump then named the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) chief, a federal official, as the new emergency head of the MPD, with all the powers of a police chief.
Now, despite Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser saying that the state 'doesn’t need a federal emergency', Trump has said they have a 'great relationship'.
Trump's control of the police force officially expired on Wednesday (10 September), 30 days after he declared a 'public safety emergency'.
However, according to the Washington Post, the National Guard presence, as well as ICE officials, are going to be staying in the area.
On Tuesday, Bowser signed an executive order that confirmed she will continue to coordinate with federal law enforcement, as a framework for ending the president’s federal emergency.
The mayor told reporters during a press conference: "I want the message to be clear to the Congress, we have a framework to request or use federal resources in our city. We don’t need a presidential emergency.”
She added: “Let me tell you, without equivocation, that the mayor’s order does not extend the Trump emergency. In fact, it does the exact opposite. What it does is lays out a framework for how we will exit the emergency. The emergency ends on September 10.”
As the deadline came to an end, Trump said on Fox & Friends: "Well, the mayor's asked us to stay. We have a Democrat mayor, who's asked us to say, and DC is a little bit different because I could federalise it if I want."
He then made the bombshell claim: "So, we have actually, more power in DC, because I can change the mayor if I want, I can do whatever I want."
Before adding: "I haven't had to. We've had a great relationship with the mayor. Everybody's happy."
The controversial clip has quickly made its way around social media - and people are concerned by Trump's statements.
One Twitter user wrote: "What's frightening is that he actually believes this."
A second added: "This is the kind of s**t dictators say, btw" and third chimed in with: "No he can't, he's lying again."
While a third person commented: "Trump, the king of spewing nonsense."