President Donald Trump has announced the deployment of 800 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., and signaled that similar actions could soon be taken in other major U.S. cities.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Trump identified New York City, Los Angeles, Baltimore, Chicago, and Oakland as potential targets for future deployments, framing the move as part of a broader crackdown on crime.
“We’re not going to lose our cities over this,” Trump said. “We’re starting very strongly with D.C., and we’re going to clean it up real quick. Other cities are hopefully watching this… and maybe they’ll self-clean up.”
Executive Orders and Federal Control
On August 11, Trump signed two executive actions:
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National Guard Deployment Authority – Directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to coordinate with state governors and authorize the activation of additional National Guard units as necessary.
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Control of D.C.’s Police Department – Invoking Section 740 of the Home Rule Act, Trump assumed control of the Metropolitan Police Department, a move legally permitted due to Washington’s status as a federal district.
Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll will oversee the Guard’s operations in the capital. Defense Secretary Hegseth stated that additional Guard units and specialized forces are ready to be deployed if needed, comparing the mission to previous military deployments at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Local and State Pushback
Trump’s remarks drew immediate responses from city leaders. The U.S. Conference of Mayors, representing around 1,400 mayors, criticized the approach. President of the conference, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, argued that local law enforcement—not federal intervention—delivers the most effective public safety outcomes.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott noted that his city is experiencing its lowest crime levels in over 50 years, with homicides down 28% in 2025.
“The work to keep our city safe starts and ends here in Baltimore,” Scott said, emphasizing collaboration between local, state, and federal partners already on the ground.
Crime Data Paints a Different Picture
While Trump cited recent violent incidents in D.C. to justify the move, crime statistics show a decline:
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Violent crime in D.C.: Down 26% compared to 2024.
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Homicides in D.C.: Down 12% this year.
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National trend: An FBI report released August 5 showed a 4.5% drop in violent crime nationwide in 2024 compared to 2023, including a 15% decrease in murder and non-negligent manslaughter.
New York City has also recorded fewer homicides in 2025 compared to the same period last year.
