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President Donald Trump announced plans to send 800 National Guard troops into Washington, D.C., and expand his crackdown on crime there. He also mentioned potential future targets like New York City, Los Angeles, Baltimore, Chicago, and Oakland, California.
“We’re not going to lose our cities over this. This will go further,” Trump said during a Monday news conference. “We’re starting very strongly with D.C., and we’re going to clean it up real quick.”
Trump did not elaborate on his plans for other cities but signed an executive order that directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to authorize the orders of any additional National Guard members as needed.
“We’re going to take back our capital,” Trump said. “And then we’ll look at other cities also. But other cities are studying what we’re doing.”
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Secretary of Army Daniel Driscoll will lead the National Guard’s operation in Washington, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is prepared to bring in additional units if needed.
Homicides in D.C. have actually decreased by 12% so far in 2025 compared to last year. However, Trump cited recent violent crimes in justifying his actions.
Mayors of other cities pushed back against Trump’s threat. “The best public safety outcomes are delivered by local police departments and officials who know the communities,” Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt said.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott stated, “Baltimore is the safest it’s been in over 50 years” with homicides down about 28% in 2025.
Contributing: Cybele Mayes-Osterman of USA TODAY
