US President Donald Trump has ignited a political firestorm by threatening to deploy troops to Baltimore, intensifying his feud with Maryland Governor Wes Moore. The warning came shortly after Moore invited Trump to join him on a “safety walk” in the city. Trump instead doubled down on his push to send National Guard forces into Democratic-led cities, a move that has already triggered strong backlash and accusations of abuse of power.
Trump’s Social Media Warning
On Sunday, Trump lashed out on Truth Social, suggesting he would send troops to Baltimore if Moore failed to address crime. “If Wes Moore needs help, like Gavin Newscum did in L.A., I will send in the ‘troops,’ which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the Crime,” Trump wrote. He later described Moore’s invitation letter as “nasty” and “provocative,” adding, “I would much prefer that he clean up this Crime disaster before I go there for a ‘walk.’”
Troop Presence in Washington DC
Trump’s warning follows his earlier deployment of about 2,000 National Guard troops to Washington DC. Initially unarmed, the Guard began carrying weapons on Sunday, according to military officials. The Joint Task Force clarified that weapons would only be used as a last resort. US media report that up to 1,700 troops may mobilize in 19 states in the coming weeks, as Trump expands his crime crackdown strategy.
Governor Moore’s Response
Maryland Governor Wes Moore, a frequent critic of Trump’s approach, strongly rejected the president’s remarks. “Trump’s comments about fighting crime come off as so, so tone deaf and so ignorant,” Moore said. “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.”
Trump’s Claim of ‘Total Safety’
Speaking from the White House, Trump defended his actions in Washington DC, claiming the mission had brought “total safety.” “DC was a hellhole,” he said. “But now it’s safe.” According to Washington DC’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPDC), violent crimes peaked in 2023 but fell to their lowest level in three decades by 2024. Preliminary 2025 data shows the downward trend continuing, with violent crime down 26% and robberies down 28% compared to the previous year.
Democrats Condemn Deployment Threats
Trump’s threats to extend troop deployments to Baltimore, New York, and Chicago have drawn fierce criticism. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker accused the president of “abuse of power,” while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries insisted Trump lacked the legal authority to send troops to cities like Baltimore. Jeffries argued that the president was “manufacturing a crisis” by ignoring Baltimore’s progress, including its record of the fewest homicides in over 50 years.
Public Opposition to Troops
A Washington Post–Schar School poll released this week revealed deep opposition to the deployments. Nearly 80% of Washington DC residents opposed the presence of federal officers and National Guard troops, as well as the federal takeover of the city’s police department. The findings highlight the widening rift between Trump’s rhetoric on crime and public sentiment in Democratic strongholds.