force as he argued violent crime was out of control. Armoured vehicles were spotted at urban centres and tourist sites around the US capital on Tuesday evening. Officials have said that 800 National Guard troops are expected to be deployed, as well as 500 federal law enforcement agents. Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, who has denied crime is out of control in her city, described the troop deployment as an "authoritarian push". Trump, a Republican, has also threatened similar deployments against New York and Chicago, two other cities controlled by Democrats. He has said crime is on the rise in the cities including in Washington DC, although analysis by BBC Verify suggests a different trend in DC. Violent offences fell after peaking in 2023, and in 2024, they hit their lowest level in 30 years, according to figures published by Washington DC's Metropolitan Police (MPDC). They are continuing to fall, according to preliminary data for 2025. Violent crime overall is down 26% this year compared to the same point in 2024, and robbery is down 28%, according to the MPDC. (BBC)