Trump Doubles Down on Crime Crackdown, Eyes Baltimore, Chicago, and New York
President Donald J. Trump is intensifying his law-and-order campaign, signaling that Democratic-run cities plagued by violence may soon see federal reinforcements.
Days after deploying National Guard units to Washington, D.C., the president made clear on Sunday that Baltimore could be next. He blasted the city as “out of control” and “crime-ridden,” drawing a sharp response from Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D).
Trump’s Law-and-Order Push
Earlier this month, Trump ordered Guard patrols in the nation’s capital, a move that critics described as a federal “takeover” of policing. According to Forbes, Guard troops in D.C. are expected to begin carrying weapons in the coming days.
This follows Trump’s earlier decision in June to send nearly 5,000 troops to Los Angeles in order to restore order after protests tied to immigration enforcement. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) fought the move but ultimately had little choice as the administration took action. Reports now suggest Chicago may face an unprecedented Guard deployment, a step Democrats are already denouncing.
On Baltimore, Trump was blunt:
“If Wes Moore needs help, like Gavin Newscum did in LA, I will send in the ‘troops,’ which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the Crime.”
Moore countered by inviting Trump to “walk the streets” with him, mocking the president on X with the jab: “Hey Donald, we can get you a golf cart if that makes things easier.”
Trump shot back that Moore should focus on cleaning up Baltimore’s crime disaster before photo ops:
“I would much prefer that he clean up this Crime disaster before I go there for a ‘walk.’”
Crime and Decline in Blue Cities
The Pentagon has not yet confirmed reports about Chicago, but Trump told reporters Friday that both Chicago and New York could follow Washington in receiving Guard support.
“We’re going to make our cities very, very safe. I think Chicago will be our next and then we’ll help with New York,” the president said from the Oval Office.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) pushed back, with Pritzker accusing Trump and Republicans of trying to brand themselves as the party of “law and order.” Yet, crime numbers tell a sobering story.
Though murders in Chicago fell by 8 percent in 2024, the city still recorded 573 killings. Baltimore likewise reports a slight decrease in homicides, but remains one of America’s most violent cities. Beyond violent crime, Baltimore faces staggering social decay: failing public schools, students graduating without basic literacy, crippling property tax burdens, and an exodus of residents that has left it among the nation’s top 15 shrinking cities.
Public Support Backs Trump’s Agenda
While Democrats posture, Americans appear firmly behind the president’s tough-on-crime agenda. A Rasmussen Reports poll released Friday found that 62% of likely voters support Trump’s pledge to “drain the swamp,” including nearly half who “strongly agree.”
Remarkably, support cuts across political and demographic lines:
- 50% of Democrats
- 61% of Hispanics
- 46% of African Americans
All back Trump’s promise to uproot entrenched corruption and lawlessness.
Still, voters remain eager to see more results. Just 45% say Trump has succeeded so far in draining the swamp, while 48% remain skeptical.
The Bottom Line
As Trump moves to extend his crackdown from Washington to Baltimore, Chicago, and potentially New York, the clash with Democrat governors and mayors will intensify. The contrast is becoming sharper: Republican leadership focused on law, order, and safety versus Democratic leaders presiding over decay, crime, and retreat.