President Donald Trump likely to approve sale of military equipment to police

Donald Trump is set to approve the controversial sale of military equipment — including rifles and armored vehicles — to US police forces, White House sources said on Monday, upending an Obama-era ban. According to officials familiar with deliberations, Trump will restart the military equipment flow to police forces — which was worth $5.4 billion over 25 years — sending another message that he is a “law-and-order” President. Critics said providing police with items like bayonets, grenade launchers and drones had strained police-community relations and led to a virtual arms-race on America’s streets. But supporters argue the equipment allows police to better protect people.