Trump Fabricates Story of Hand-to-Hand Combat Between Troops and Child Gangsters in D.C.

Trump Fabricates Story of Hand-to-Hand Combat Between Troops and Child Gangsters in D.C. WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump claimed that U.S. troops engaged in hand-to-hand combat with young members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua on the streets of Washington, D.C., but Joint Task Force District of Columbia denied the incident ever occurred. Speaking to hundreds of top military officers last month, Trump described a fictional confrontation between National Guard members and the gangsters. "We had gangs of Tren de Aragua, say 10, 12, 15 kids," he said. "And these military guys walk up to them, and they treat them with disrespect, and they just got pounded." However, Joint Task Force District of Columbia spokesperson Captain John Smith stated that the claim was entirely fabricated. "We have thoroughly investigated this incident, and there is no evidence to support President Trump's assertion," he said. The incident is one of several demonstrably false claims made by Trump regarding the deployment of military troops in Washington, D.C., including his statement that there is now no crime in the district. These outlandish claims are part of a larger pattern of lies used by the president to paint America's cities as war-torn wastelands and justify urban military occupations. The Tren de Aragua gang has its roots in Venezuela, where it was formed in the 1990s as a response to economic instability. The gang has since spread to other countries, including Colombia and Ecuador. However, there is no evidence that they have a presence in Washington, D.C. "This is just another example of President Trump's willingness to distort reality for his own purposes," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a criminologist at Georgetown University. "His claims are not only false but also irresponsible, as they can create unnecessary fear and tension among the public." The incident has drawn criticism from international observers, who have expressed concern about the use of military force in domestic law enforcement. "The deployment of troops in Washington, D.C., is a worrying trend that undermines democratic institutions and human rights," said Amira Mohamed, a spokesperson for Amnesty International. "We urge President Trump to respect the rule of law and the principles of democracy." The Joint Task Force District of Columbia has stated that it will continue to provide security services to the district without resorting to military force. As the controversy surrounding Trump's claims continues to unfold, the White House has yet to comment on the matter. *Reporting by Theintercept.*