White House says 23 arrested after hundreds of federal officers deploy to DC

Trump deploys national guard troops after taking control of DC police, sparking fears of similar moves elsewhere

Protesters demonstrate against US president Donald Trump's planned use of federal law enforcement and National Guard troops in Washington, during a rally in front of the White House. File picture: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

About 850 officers and agents took part in a “massive law enforcement surge” across Washington DC on Monday night and made nearly two dozen arrests, the White House has said.

The show of force came after Donald Trump announced that he was sending the national guard into the capital and putting city police under federal control, even though the violent crime rate is at a 30-year low.