Trump Faces Backlash Over National Guard Expansion

Trump visited the US Park Police Anacostia Operations Facility last week

Donald Trump has threatened to send National Guard troops to Baltimore, escalating his clashes with Democratic leaders as he seeks to expand his crackdown on crime and immigration.

The former president branded the Maryland city “out of control” and hinted at deployments similar to those in Washington and Los Angeles. Maryland Governor Wes Moore swiftly rebuked the threat, accusing Trump of relying on “1980 scare tactics” and challenging him to walk Baltimore’s streets together.

Trump recently sent Guard troops to Washington, where they began carrying weapons on Sunday. Earlier this year, nearly 5,000 troops were dispatched to Los Angeles during immigration protests, sparking fierce resistance from California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Reports suggest Trump is also preparing to deploy thousands of troops to Chicago and potentially New York, fuelling strong opposition from Democratic leaders. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson vowed to resist, insisting Trump’s approach is more about politics than public safety.

Moore, a US Army veteran and bestselling author, pointed out that Maryland’s homicide rate has fallen by more than 20 percent during his tenure. He dismissed Trump’s threats as bluster, quipping that he could provide the 79-year-old with a golf cart if he accepted the invitation to tour Baltimore.

Trump, however, accused Moore of failing on crime and warned of cutting federal funds. The feud underscores an increasingly bitter battle between Trump and Democratic state leaders as he positions himself as a candidate of “law and order.”