 |
| Trump clashes with Democrats over national guard expansion/ |
US President Donald Trump has issued a warning about potentially sending National Guard troops to Baltimore, intensifying his clash with Democratic leaders as he aims for a prominent crackdown on crime and immigration.
In a message posted on Truth Social, the Republican president labeled Baltimore as an "out of control, crime-ridden" city, stating he would dispatch troops if Maryland Governor Wes Moore requires assistance, similar to what Gavin Newscum did in L.A., using a pejorative nickname for California Governor Gavin Newsom. Trump asserted that federal intervention would "swiftly eradicate the Crime," referencing the recent troop deployment to Washington, D.C.
These remarks prompted a strong reaction from Moore, who accused Trump of resurrecting "1980s scare tactics" and extended an invitation for the president to stroll with him through Baltimore to witness the city’s advancements. "Hey Donald, we can arrange a golf cart if that would make it easier," Moore joked on X, pointing out that Baltimore’s homicide rate has decreased by over 20 percent since he assumed office. He remarked, "The last time the homicide rate was this low in Baltimore City, I wasn’t even born."
In response, Trump stated that he would "much rather he address this Crime disaster before I come there for a ‘walk,’" criticizing Moore’s record and threatening to cut federal funding associated with a collapsed bridge.
This exchange underscores a larger national conflict between Trump and Democratic governors regarding the president’s deployment of military force in American cities. Earlier this month, Trump dispatched nearly 5,000 troops to Los Angeles in reaction to immigration enforcement protests, a decision that Newsom vehemently opposed. He also commanded National Guard deployments to Washington, where troops began carrying weapons on Sunday after initially keeping them stored in the armory.
Reports from US media indicate that Chicago may be next, with Trump telling reporters on Friday, August 22, "We’re going to make our cities very, very safe. I believe Chicago will be our next target, and then we’ll assist.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson dismissed the notion, with Pritzker sharing on X: “Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans are attempting to portray their party as champions of ‘law and order.’ This is far from reality.” In 2024, Chicago police documented 573 homicides, reflecting an 8 percent decrease from the year before. The Pentagon has not verified if Chicago will experience troop deployments, as Trump persists in suggesting that additional Democratic-led cities may soon encounter federal military action.