Washington, 22 August 2025 (dpa/MIA) - US President Donald Trump plans to appear with the military on the streets of Washington later on Thursday, radio host Todd Starnes said following an interview with him.

"I'm going out tonight — I'm going to keep it a secret," Trump told Starnes according to the ultra-conservative Newsmax broadcaster, where the radio host also works. "I'm going out with the police and with the military," he added.

A White House spokesman informed Newsmax that the action would be accompanied by security measures, with details yet to be announced.

Trump's activation of the National Guard to address allegedly out-of-control crime levels in the US capital is highly controversial. He has also placed the local police under federal control.

However, police statistics and information from the Washington district attorney's office do not provide evidence of a rise in crime.

There have been protests and National Guardsmen are increasingly visible in the cityscape, including at locations that are frequented by tourists but are not known as particular hotspots for violence or crime.

Photo: EPA