United States President Donald Trump has denied being a dictator while suggesting that many Americans might welcome one.
Trump spoke on Monday during a press conference at the Oval Office, where he signed executive orders to introduce stiffer penalties for suspects who burn the American flag, and eliminate cashless bail.
The orders follow efforts to escalate his Washington crime crackdown after he ordered the Pentagon to create a specialised DC national force that is “specifically trained and equipped to deal with public order issues”.
Trump dismissed criticism that expanding the initiative to other cities is a “strongman” move.
“As you all know Chicago is a killing field right now and they don’t acknowledge it and they say ‘We don’t need him. Freedom, freedom, he’s a dictator’. A lot of people are saying ‘maybe we like a dictator’,” he said.
“I don’t like a dictator. I’m not a dictator. I’m a man with great common sense and a smart person.”
Earlier this month, Trump announced a takeover of the Washington police under the Home Rule Act that directs the city’s mayor to provide the president with police assistance for 30 days when “special conditions of an emergency exist”.
Trump cited a significant surge in violent crimes, homelessness, and lawlessness, describing Washington as being “taken over by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals”.
This was despite violent crime reaching a 30-year low in the city last year, according to the justice department.
In June, Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles after days of unrest caused by immigration raids on undocumented migrants in California.
It was the first time a US president would assume control of the National Guard since the LA riots of 1992 — which was triggered by the beating of Rodney King by four white police officers.
