US President Donald Trump made strong claims about the state of crime in Washington, DC, stating that the city has one of the highest homicide rates in the world, surpassing several notoriously violent countries.

In a post on his social media platform 'Truth Social,' Trump wrote, "But now, DC is back under Federal Control where it belongs. The White House is in charge. The Military and our Great Police will liberate this City, scrape away the filth, and make it safe, clean, habitable and beautiful once more!."

Earlier during a press conference on Monday, Trump announced that he is placing the Washington, DC, Metropolitan Police Department "under federal control" and deploying the National Guard to the city, saying the move is aimed at restoring order in the nation's capital.