Donald Trump has warned that he may send National Guard troops into Baltimore if crime is not “cleaned up.” His remarks sparked a clash with Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who had invited Trump for a community walk.
Trump called the invitation “nasty,” while Moore accused him of spreading “ignorant” stereotypes about the city. The dispute has now turned into a wider debate on how presidents use federal power and crime as a political weapon.
Trump Issues Threat to Baltimore
President Donald Trump escalated tensions with Maryland Governor Wes Moore after threatening to deploy federal troops to Baltimore. On Truth Social, Trump wrote, “If Wes Moore needs help, like Gavin Newscum did in LA, I will send in the ‘troops,’ which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the Crime.”
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The President compared Baltimore’s situation with Washington, DC, where around 2,000 National Guard troops are already stationed. He claimed their presence brought “total safety” to the capital. “DC was a hellhole,” Trump said. “But now it’s safe.”
Governor Moore Fires Back
Governor Wes Moore pushed back strongly, calling Trump’s words “tone deaf and ignorant.” He argued that the President had no understanding of Baltimore communities. “It’s because they have not walked our streets. They have not been in our communities, and they are more than happy to keep making these repeated tropes about us,” Moore said.
Baltimore, often targeted in Trump’s speeches on crime, recorded its lowest homicide numbers in more than 50 years in 2024. City data also shows violent crime has continued to decline.
Legal & Political Fight Over Troop Deployment
Democratic leaders and legal experts raised concerns about Trump’s threats. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Trump has no legal authority to send troops to Baltimore without state approval. He accused Trump of using crime statistics to justify military action.
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Illinois Governor JB Pritzker also criticized Trump’s approach, calling the idea of sending troops into Chicago an “abuse of power.”
Polls suggest Trump’s strategy faces strong public opposition. A Washington Post/Schar School survey found nearly 80% of Washington, DC residents oppose the deployment of both federal officers and the National Guard.
Crime vs Politics
Trump’s threat is not just about Baltimore. It highlights how crime and security are becoming central issues in the 2025 presidential race. Trump’s use of federal troops plays into his “law and order” image, even as local data shows crime is falling.
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