As military vehicles rolled into Washington, DC, Democratic mayors across America prepared for possible federal interventions in their own cities. Leaders from Seattle to Baltimore say Trump’s actions amount to a political assault disguised as law enforcement, raising fears of deeper constitutional crises. With threats of further deployments looming, city officials are mobilizing legal, political, and emergency plans to resist.
Trump’s Escalating City Crackdowns
Donald Trump has long targeted Democratic-led cities, framing them as “lawless.” This week he attempted to seize control of Washington DC’s police, invoking rarely used powers under the Home Rule Act. Earlier this year, he sent National Guard troops into Los Angeles despite opposition from California officials, prompting a lawsuit. City leaders argue the president is bypassing local authority to project strength, while using crime as a pretext to consolidate power.
Mayors Condemn Federal Overreach
From Seattle to Providence, mayors are voicing outrage at Trump’s tactics. “President Trump constantly creates a narrative that cities like Seattle are liberal hellholes … and that is just not the fact,” said Seattle mayor Bruce Harrell. Baltimore’s Brandon Scott added that Black-led cities making progress on crime are being singled out, saying, “It tells you everything that you need to know.” Officials say these interventions erode trust and escalate tensions rather than improving safety.
Republicans Join in Pushback
The resistance to Trump’s approach is not limited to Democrats. The US Conference of Mayors, led by Oklahoma City’s Republican mayor David Holt, condemned the DC takeover, declaring that “local control is always best.” Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey emphasized that city leaders prioritize their communities over partisan politics: “These mayors … love their city more than they love their ideology.” Even Republican leaders view Trump’s aggressive use of federal power as a dangerous precedent.
Why Trump Targets Cities
Trump’s rhetoric reflects a long-standing conservative narrative portraying urban centers as failures of liberal policy. Project 2025, the right-wing policy blueprint, explicitly calls for withholding federal funds and using federal forces to crack down on cities. Trump himself pledged to deploy military assets when local law enforcement “refuses to act.” Critics argue the president is exploiting unrest and protests to justify extraordinary measures. Jacob Frey called it “an utter mess of idiocy,” underscoring the lack of clear justification.
Legal Limits and DC’s Exception
Washington DC is uniquely vulnerable due to the Home Rule Act of 1973, which allows a president to temporarily take over its police force. Trump is the first to invoke this provision, sparking lawsuits from DC officials. Elsewhere, cities have stronger legal protections. “Doing something like that in Minneapolis … would be just a blatantly illegal usurpation of local control,” Frey said. Norm Eisen, a constitutional lawyer, warned: “Dictator on day one rarely gives up on day two.”
Cities Mobilize for Defense
Mayors nationwide are now drawing up emergency plans, coordinating with police chiefs and governors, and preparing legal challenges. Minneapolis officials have created clear chains of command excluding Trump. In Seattle, Harrell said his law department is ready to counter federal overreach. Baltimore’s Scott pledged to act “legally and otherwise.” Providence mayor Brett Smiley stressed the unprecedented nature of the threat: “It’s very difficult to know what our options are … we’re in uncharted territory.”
What’s at Stake Now
The deployment of troops into domestic cities remains deeply controversial, raising alarms about democracy itself. Leaders argue that partnerships with the federal government are most effective when mutually agreed upon, not forced. Detroit mayor Mike Duggan praised past collaboration with federal agencies under Biden, contrasting it with Trump’s confrontational tactics. As Brandon Scott warned, cities need genuine support, not “force and show.” For many mayors, this is about resisting a dangerous erosion of democratic norms.