Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump said Wednesday that his administration is "considering" taking control of the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department, citing what he described as an "out-of-control" crime wave in the nation's capital.

“We’re considering it, yeah, because the crime is ridiculous,” Trump told reporters when asked directly if he would take over the D.C. Police. “That includes bringing in the National Guard, maybe, very quickly, too.”

The statement came during an impromptu press availability at the White House, where the president expressed deep concern over what he called “unacceptable levels of violence, lawlessness, and failure of local leadership” in the District.