Trump threatens to 'take back' Seattle protest zone

US President Donald Trump has threatened to 'take back' a police-free district where protesters have been given free rein in Seattle.

Police abandoned a precinct in the city on Monday after days of violent confrontation with demonstrators.

In a series of tweets, the Republican president lashed out at liberal Democratic leaders in the north-western US state of Washington and its most populous city of Seattle.

"Take back your city NOW," Mr Trump wrote on Thursday. "If you don't do it, I will.

In another tweet, he said "Domestic Terrorists have taken over Seattle", saying Washington Governor Jay Inslee was "looking 'the fool'".

Trump said the area had been overtaken by "Domestic Terrorists", but Washington state leaders told him not to meddle in their affairs.

Inlsee tweeted back in the morning, "A man who is totally incapable of governing should stay out of Washington state's business."

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan told President Trump: "Make us all safe. Go back to your bunker."

Since police withdrew, demonstrations in the area have been largely peaceful.

It has been called Chaz, an abbreviation of Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone. Hundreds of people have been gathering there to demonstrate, hear speeches and attend events.

The protests were in response to last month's death in police custody of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

(Source: BBC)