'We may just go in and do it': President Trump considers deploying armed National Guard to cities amid criticism
President Donald Trump has armed the National Guard in Washington, D.C., and is considering deploying them to other cities, which has drawn criticism from Democratic governors.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that it is common sense to ensure the National Guard can defend themselves and others. A Defense Department spokesman confirmed that all units with firearms have been trained and are operating under strict rules for use of force.Trump said, "We can go anywhere on less than 24 hours' notice." He further commented, "We may just go in and do it, which is probably what we should do. The problem is, it's not nice when you go in and do it and somebody else is standing there saying- as we give great results- say, 'Uh, well, uh, we don't want the military.'"In recent weeks, National Guard soldiers have been deployed across Washington, D.C., to address what Trump has described as an epidemic of "crime, bloodshed, bedlam and squalor and worse." On Monday, Trump intensified his criticism of cities like Baltimore, Chicago, and Los Angeles, specifically calling Baltimore a "deathbed." On social media, he threatened to withhold funding for the rebuild of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which was approved in Congress by both Republicans and Democrats.Maryland Gov. Wes Moore criticized the president's threats, stating that Trump is cutting federal funding that helps local police departments combat crime. Moore argued that Baltimore's crime rate is at a historic low."We are seeing a resurgence that it would be great if the president would actually come and spend time and learn about what we are doing, instead of just throwing jabs at me and jabs at the city of Baltimore from the Oval Office," Moore said.Trump has indicated that Chicago and New York City are next on his list after Washington D.C. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker condemned the president’s suggestion that federal soldiers were needed to address crime, homelessness and undocumented immigration in major cities."There is no emergency that warrants the president of the United States federalizing the Illinois National Guard, deploying the National Guard from other states, or sending active duty military within our own borders," Pritzker said.According to D.C.'s official crime statistics, the city has seen a drop in nearly all types of crime in the past two weeks compared to the prior two weeks.In addition to these developments, Trump signed several executive orders. One order aims to eliminate cashless bail nationwide, threatening to cut federal funding to states and cities that allow the practice. Trump argued that cashless bail puts dangerous criminals back on the streets, while critics say studies show it hasn't increased crime and that cash bail unfairly punishes poor defendants.Another executive order directs the Justice Department to investigate and prosecute flag burning, despite the Supreme Court ruling it as protected free speech. Trump argued that flag burning sparks riots. The order sets a penalty of up to a year in jail with no early release and states that foreign nationals who burn the flag could lose visas or face deportation.Trump also announced that the Justice Department is preparing to sue California over its new redistricting plan. California voters will decide in November if they want new maps to add several Democratic seats in their state, in response to Texas' redistricting that adds five Republican seats, which was specifically requested by Trump. This is part of a growing redistricting battle, with both parties seeking an advantage before the 2026 midterms.
