US President Donald Trump said he had ordered the withdrawal of the National Guard from Washington.

"I have just given an order for our National Guard to start the process of withdrawing from Washington, D.C., now that everything is under perfect control. They will be going home, but can quickly return, if needed. Far fewer protesters showed up last night than anticipated!" Trump tweeted.

The National Guard was deployed in Washington amid the protests and riots following the death of African American George Floyd.

Later, the mayor of the city, Muriel Bowser, appealed to the president with a request to withdraw the troops from the US capital.