President Donald Trump announced Monday that he is federalizing the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department to address a “public safety emergency,” a move that will give him complete law enforcement control over the district.

Vowing to “liberate” Washington, Trump said he would put an end to “the days of ruthlessly killing, or hurting, innocent people.”

The White House and D.C. leadership each try to assert that they are in control of the force, even as they emphasize cooperation and shared priorities.