Trump vs. Wes Moore: National Guard Threats and a Baltimore Crime Clash
A heated political battle is brewing between President Donald Trump and Maryland Governor Wes Moore after Trump suggested he might deploy the National Guard to Baltimore and other major cities as part of a sweeping crackdown on crime.
The exchange began when Moore asked Trump if he would “walk the streets of Maryland” with him. Trump fired back, accusing the governor of having “a very bad” record on crime, claiming Baltimore’s streets are “out of control,” and even hinting he might reconsider federal funding for the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild.
This isn’t the first time Trump has used federal forces to intervene in local issues. He previously sent in the Guard during protests in Los Angeles and again in Washington, D.C., sparking backlash from local leaders and lawsuits from governors like California’s Gavin Newsom. Now, Trump is openly considering deployments to Chicago, New York City, Oakland, and Baltimore.
Moore, however, defended his record. Speaking on Face the Nation, he pointed to $50 million in new investments for Baltimore law enforcement, tougher federal gun prosecutions, and a 20% statewide drop in homicides since he took office. He noted that Baltimore hasn’t seen its homicide rate this low in decades.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott also pushed back, saying homicides are down 28% this year alone, making Baltimore “the safest it’s been in over 50 years.” He accused Trump of playing politics instead of focusing on economic issues.
The president’s critics also point out that Trump has not targeted cities like Jackson, Mississippi, or Memphis, Tennessee—both of which have higher homicide rates than Baltimore, according to FBI data.
Still, Trump doubled down on Truth Social, writing:
“If Wes Moore needs help, like Gavin Newscum did in L.A., I will send in the ‘troops’ … Stop talking and get to work, Wes. I’ll then see you on the streets!!!”
Moore, in turn, drew a line:
“I will not authorize the use of the Maryland National Guard for any mission that isn’t mission critical or mission aligned. Full stop.”
With crime and public safety already shaping up to be major issues in the 2025 political landscape, the Trump–Moore feud underscores the deeper clash between federal power and local control—and whether deploying troops to U.S. cities is a solution or just political theater.
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