AN ABC anchor backed Donald Trump’s overhaul of the DC police department after she experienced violence firsthand in the city.
Many were aghast after the Trump administration announced on Monday that it would take control of the nation’s capital to cut back on crime.
“I am declaring a pivotal action to save our nation’s capital from crime, violence, chaos, and worse,” he announced during the Monday press conference.
He appointed Attorney General Pam Bondi to lead the Metropolitan Police Department and revealed plans to deploy the National Guard.
“This is Liberation Day in DC, and we’re going to take our capital back,” Trump said.
One backer of the historic plan to overtake the city’s police was ABC News anchor Kyra Phillips, who works at the publication’s bureau in D.C.
“Speaking from personal experience here in downtown DC, just in the last six months… there were two individuals shot, with one resulting in death, merely two blocks from our bureau,” she shared during the broadcast on ABC News Live.
“It was within the last two years that I actually was jumped walking just two blocks down from here.”
Just that morning, her co-worker’s car was stolen a block away, she claimed.
“We may discuss declining numbers, but crime is an everyday occurrence because we are all directly experiencing it while working and living here.”
During the same broadcast, Phillips interviewed DC US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, where she shared more details on the harrowing encounter.
She said that the incident happened just two blocks down from her job.
“He was homeless, and half dressed, clearly wasn’t in his clear mind,” she said of her attacker.
“It was scary as hell, I’m not gonna lie.”
Phillips then said that she had to defend herself from the man while he jumped her.
“I fought back, I didn’t see any weapons in his hands,” she recounted.
Trump Brings National Guard to DC
How Does Federalizing a City’s Police Force Work?
- The president can take control if local order breaks down or with city approval.
- In DC, federal law allows Congress and the president to oversee police under certain rules.
- A federal official can be put in charge of the local police temporarily.
How Do Federal Police and the National Guard Work Together?
- Federal agents (FBI, DEA, Secret Service) can assist or lead law enforcement efforts.
- The National Guard can be called in by the president to support or restore order.
- When federalized, the Guard works under federal command but usually does not handle regular policing.
- All forces must coordinate closely to avoid overlap and work effectively.
“I felt like it was my only choice.”
“The president noted that this initiative will also tackle homelessness. As we are aware, unfortunately, some homeless individuals resort to violence, as I have personally experienced.”
Trump said that he was going to kick homeless people out of the city and move them “FAR from the Capital,” he wrote on Truth Social Sunday.
“Criminals, there’s no need to leave town. We’ll be incarcerating you as you deserve. It will happen swiftly, similar to the actions at the Border.”
“This will be easier — Be prepared! There will be no ‘MR. NICE GUY,'” he wrote.
