Federal govt should 'take over' Washington, DC: Trump slams city government for 'not doing the job'

US President Donald Trump said that he thinks the federal government should "take over" and run Washington, DC, to make it safe.

Trump extended his support behind congressional efforts for a federal takeover of the US capital, saying that he approves putting the District of Columbia back under direct federal control.

The US president complained about crime and homelessness in the district. Trump was speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One.

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"I think we should take over Washington, D.C. — make it safe.” He added, “I think that we should govern the District of Columbia."

'City govt not doing the job'

He further said that the city's government was not "doing the job", adding that the city has a "great police department" that is not being "utilised properly".

Stressing that there was "too much crime" in the city, Trump said, "People are getting killed, people are being hurt.”

He also complained about homeless encampments in DC, saying there was “too much graffiti, too many tents on the lawns, homeless people all over the place.”

Trump argued that these issues must be dealt with swiftly. He added that foreign leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are "coming over" to see, and "you can’t have tents all over your beautiful, your once-magnificent plazas, lawns, and all.”

Earlier this month, GOP lawmakers introduced a bill that would repeal "the District of Columbia Home Rule Act" which would eliminate the city's local government and allow the federal government to take over its governance.

(With inputs from agencies)