The president also said he would consider calling in active-duty military troops if needed, launching an unprecedented effort to take charge of the nation’s capital.

President Donald Trump is bringing in 800 National Guard members to help law enforcement fight crime in Washington, but just 100 to 200 of the troops will be on the city's streets at any given time, the Army said.

The White House increased the presence of federal law enforcement in Washington over the weekend, deploying 450 officers across all four quadrants of the city Saturday and on Sunday in high-traffic areas, as Trump has ramped up threats of taking control of D.C. and its local police force.