The US National Guard troops began to arrive in Washington (the official name is the District of Columbia) to implement a special decree of President Donald Trump aimed at combating crime in the country's capital. It is reported by NBC News.
Although Trump's decree states that the deployment of troops will cease as soon as he decides that "order and legality in the District of Columbia have been restored," according to the TV channel, the servicemen were informed that their mission would last until September 25.
In total, about 800 people will be involved in ensuring order in Washington.According to NBC News, on Tuesday evening, five military vehicles were parked near the Washington Monument. About a dozen guards were nearby, but did not come into contact with a journalist who was interested in their mission.
About the decision to enter into Trump announced the National Guard troops on August 11 at a press conference at the White House. Since the District of Columbia is not a state, this does not require the approval of local authorities.
The President clarified that the Washington police will now report directly to the Attorney General and the head of the Ministry of Justice, Pam Bondi, and her officers will be allowed to "do whatever the hell they want" in response to possible provocations.
"This is the only language they (criminals) understand. They like to spit in the face of the police. You spit, and we strike, a very strong blow," he said.
The mayor of the city, Democrat Muriel Bowser, called Trump's decision "disturbing and unprecedented." She also said that the management structure in the city will not change: her chief, who is accountable to the mayor's office, will continue to lead the police, and Bondi will only report on their work.
Trump has already deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles in June in connection with protests over anti-migrant raids. He accused local authorities of inaction, mentioning, in particular, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom.