Trump orders 175 federal agents into Chicago as he vows to combat ‘violent’ Black Lives Matter protests
DONALD Trump has ordered 175 federal agents into Chicago as he vowed to combat "violent" Black Lives Matter protests.
confirmed the news on Monday as clashes between and ensued in the city.
When questioned about reports to send an additional 175 officers into the area, Trump replied: "Well, it depends on what your definition of 'troops' is. I mean, we're sending law enforcement."
, the president made it clear that he would be taking action against several cities that have seen ongoing protests.
Speaking from on Monday, Trump said: "We're not going to let and and , and and all of these, is a mess.
"We're not going to let this happen in our country. All run by liberal Democrats."
Honing in on the violence in Chicago, Trump said with the number of shootings over the weekend - 63 - the city is "worse than Afghanistan."
The law enforcement officers will focus on illegal gun sales and gun violence among other targets, reported.
Earlier on Monday, Chicago's Mayor Lori Lightfoot voiced her concerns with sending in the troops.
She said: "We don't need federal agents without any insignia taking people off the streets and holding them, I think, unlawfully. That's not what we need."
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On Monday, the Chicago Police Department said in a statement to : "The Chicago Police Department does not maintain any authority over the federal government’s deployment of federal law enforcement agents to the City of Chicago.
"We regularly work alongside our local and federal law enforcement agency partners toward the common goal of keeping Chicago residents safe.
"If federal agents are deployed, it is critical that they coordinate with the Chicago Police Department and work alongside us to fight violent crime in Chicago."