WASHINGTON -- Trump says the federal government should 'take over' the District of Columbia, backing GOP push in Congress.

Although Trump has long denigrated Washington, these were the most direct comments of his four-week-old second term describing his desire to strip local control from the District of Columbia.

President Donald Trump said he supports putting Washington, D.C., back under direct federal control while complaining to reporters about crime and homelessness in the nation's capital.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday threw his support behind congressional efforts for a federal takeover of the nation’s capital, saying he approves putting the District of Columbia back under direct federal control.