White House boosts federal law enforcement at Washington DC tourist spots

The operation begins at midnight, led by US park police and other agencies, aiming to combat violent crime over a 7-day period.

The White House announced on Thursday that a planned increase in federal law enforcement in Washington, DC, would focus on areas with heavy tourist traffic and other hot spots around the city beginning at midnight.

The move represents the latest step by Trump and his administration toward taking over running the city that serves as the seat of the U.S. government. (AFP File Photo)

President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he may use the National Guard to police the streets of the capital and a White House official said federal law enforcement would build its presence there this week. The move represents the latest step by Trump and his administration toward taking over running the city that serves as the seat of the US government.

"President Trump has directed an increased presence of federal law enforcement to protect innocent citizens. Starting tonight, there will be no safe harbor for violent criminals in DC," White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.

Multiple agencies are contributing to the effort, starting in the early hours of Friday morning. The operation will begin as a 7-day effort that may be extended, a separate White House official said.

It will be led by the US Park Police and include officials from the Capitol Police, Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.