Trump Proposes National Guard Deployment to Tackle Baltimore's Crime

US President Donald Trump has threatened to deploy troops to Baltimore, escalating a clash with Maryland Governor Wes Moore after the Democrat invited him to join a safety walk in the city.

If Wes Moore needs help, like Gavin Newsom did in L.A., I will send in the 'troops,' which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the Crime, Trump wrote on social media.

The remarks mark the latest flashpoint in the president's efforts to deploy National Guard troops to Democrat-led cities as part of his crackdown on crime. The use of military personnel for domestic law enforcement has drawn fierce backlash from Democrats. Governor Moore described it as an abuse of power.

Trump has already deployed around 2,000 troops to Washington DC, a Democratic stronghold. The Guard began carrying weapons in the capital recently, which they previously kept secured until needed. According to reports, as many as 1,700 additional troops could be mobilized in 19 states in the coming weeks.

Governor Moore criticized Trump’s comments, asserting they reflect ignorance of the realities of Baltimore's communities, emphasizing that they have not personally witnessed the city’s struggles.

Trump asserted he prefers that Moore address crime directly before engaging in further discussions. His comments have also drawn scrutiny from political leaders, including Democrats who are contending that the president is exploiting a minor increase in crime rates to advance his agenda.

Polls indicate that Trump's proposal to send troops is deeply unpopular among Baltimore residents, with nearly 80% opposing the deployment of both federal officers and National Guard troops.