Trump threatens to call national emergency in Washington over ICE dispute

United States President Donald Trump threatened on Monday (Sep 15) to call a national emergency and federalise Washington DC, after Mayor Muriel Bowser said its police would not cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

At issue is the provision of information on individuals living in, or entering, the US illegally. Trump's threat adds to a move critics have seen as federal overreach, with more than 2,000 troops patrolling the city.

The comments come after several thousand protesters hit the streets this month over Trump's August deployment of National Guard troops to "re-establish law, order, and public safety", after calling crime a blight on the capital.

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

Bowser's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump's post.

Earlier, he had put the metropolitan police department under direct federal control and sent federal law enforcement, including members of the ICE, to police the streets. It is unclear when their mission will end.

Trump blamed "Radical Left Democrats" for pressuring Bowser to inform the government about the non-cooperation with ICE, adding that if the police halted cooperation with ICE, "Crime would come roaring back".

He added, "To the people and businesses of Washington DC, DON’T WORRY, I AM WITH YOU, AND WON’T ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN. I’ll call a National Emergency, and Federalise, if necessary!!!"

Bowser, who has previously praised Trump's surge of federal law enforcement, bringing a sharp decline in crime, earlier signed an order for the city to coordinate with federal law enforcement.

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