BURSTFederal law enforcement officers in Washington were heckled Wednesday as tensions rise in the nation's capital over President Trump's moves to take over the local police force.
A group of protestors near the 14th St. NW corridor, where the agents established a vehicle checkpoint, shouted out or held up signs with phrases such as "Go home, fascists" and "Get off our streets," The Associated Press reported. The group also encouraged drivers to take other routes to avoid the officers, according to the news wire.
National Guard vehicles were also spotted near the National Mall early Thursday, according to NewsNation's Cameron Congdon.
Trump announced on Monday that his administration would take federal control of Washington's police force, citing "out-of-control" crime and violence in the city. The president also deployed hundreds of National Guard service members to the district a day later to assist with patrolling the streets.
On Wednesday, Trump signaled he would go before Congress to ask for an extension on his federal takeover. Under Washington's "Home Rule Act," the president can only take authority over the local police department for up to 30 days without the approval of lawmakers.
“And we’re going to be asking for an extension on that, long-term extensions, because you can’t have 30 days. Thirty days is, that’s, by the time you do it — we’re going to have this in good shape," he said, adding, "We’re going to do this very quickly, but we’re going to want extensions."
“I don’t want to call a national emergency. If I have to, I will. But I think the Republicans in Congress will approve this pretty much unanimously," the president added.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) pushed back on the sentiment, arguing that Democrats would not go along with Trump's request.
“No f‑‑‑ing way,” Schumer told podcaster Aaron Parnas. “We’ll fight him tooth and nail.
"He needs to get Congress to approve it, and not only are we not going to approve it, but there are some Republicans who don’t like either," he added.
Other Democrats, including local authorities, have also criticized the administration's efforts as "unprecedented" and "unnecessary," citing data showing that crime in the district is declining.