In Just Six Words, Trump Shuts Down Crime Debate with Maryland Governor: 'Stop Talking and ...'

President Donald J. Trump is once again pressing Democrat officials to prioritize public safety, this time directing his criticism at Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.

The exchange began after Moore took issue with Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard to Washington, D.C., to restore order amid surging crime in the capital. In an Aug. 21 letter, Moore attempted to contrast Maryland’s record with Trump’s approach, claiming Baltimore had achieved progress in crime reduction without what he characterized as “performative” measures.

“Even in the face of millions of dollars in cuts to federal funding for violence intervention and gun violence prevention under your administration — including to programs directly credited with lowering rates of homicide and other violent crimes — our state and local communities continue to invest in proven strategies that help us build safer, more vibrant neighborhoods,” Moore wrote.

He touted an “all-of-the-above approach to public safety” and claimed it helped drive a 20 percent drop in homicides. Moore then invited Trump to attend an upcoming “public safety walk” in Baltimore.

But the numbers tell a different story. According to FBI crime data highlighted in a report from The Hill, Baltimore still ranks as the third most violent major city in America, with one of the highest rates of homicide in the nation. Despite Moore’s boasts, Baltimore remains plagued by violent crime and deeply entrenched public safety challenges.

President Trump swiftly responded on Truth Social, making clear he wasn’t impressed by Moore’s posturing.

“Governor Wes Moore of Maryland has asked, in a rather nasty and provocative tone, that I ‘walk the streets of Maryland’ with him. I assume he is talking about out of control, crime ridden, Baltimore?” Trump posted Sunday.

“As President, I would much prefer that he clean up this Crime disaster before I go there for a ‘walk.’ Wes Moore’s record on Crime is a very bad one, unless he fudges his figures on crime like many of the other ‘Blue States’ are doing,” Trump continued.

The President emphasized that decisive action works, pointing to Washington, D.C., where he deployed military support: “After only one week, there is NO CRIME AND NO MURDER IN DC!”

Trump closed with a sharp rebuke: “P.S. Baltimore is ranked the 4th WORST CITY IN THE NATION IN CRIME & MURDER. Stop talking and get to work, Wes. I’ll then see you on the streets!!!”

The clash underscores the stark difference between Trump’s law-and-order policies and the softer, “root causes” rhetoric of blue-state Democrats who continue to preside over some of the most crime-ridden cities in America.