Mayors Accuse Trump of Power Grab as Troops Arrive in Washington

National Guard troops arrived in Washington yesterday as Donald Trump's federal takeover of the city's police force began.

- David Smith

The president announced on Monday that he was seizing control of the police in what he called "liberation day" for DC - which he described as "one of the most dangerous cities anywhere in the world," despite violent crime being at a 30-year low.

Muriel Bowser, the Democratic mayor of Washington DC, pledged to work "side by side" with the federal government during the takeover, which is expected to last for 30 days.

Bowser has cultivated a delicate working relationship with Trump since his return to power in January. On Tuesday, she struck a conciliatory note and said she would try to make the most of the extra resources to fight crime.

"So, how we got here or what we think about the circumstances right now, we have more police and we want to make sure we're using them," she said.

However, other Democratic mayors across the country have adopted a different tone, warning Trump against expanding his law and order power grab in other major cities.