President Donald Trump has intensified his confrontation with Democratic leaders by threatening to send National Guard troops to Baltimore, a majority-Democratic city in Maryland.
The move comes as part of his broader effort to expand military-backed crackdowns on crime and immigration in urban centers.
The latest comments followed reports that National Guard units in Washington, D.C., will soon be allowed to carry firearms while on patrol, according to defense officials cited by U.S. media.
Trump, already facing criticism for deploying troops in the nation’s capital, has now shifted attention to Baltimore, which he described online as “crime-ridden” and “out of control.”
Democratic officials quickly pushed back. Maryland Governor Wes Moore condemned the president’s remarks, joining other state leaders in accusing Trump of politicizing security measures ahead of the election season.
Local lawmakers warned that federal intervention could strain relations between communities and law enforcement rather than improving safety.
The president’s move fits into a pattern of targeting Democratic-run cities, where he has claimed that immigration and crime rates justify stronger federal intervention.
His opponents argue the strategy is less about public safety and more about building a political narrative against Democrats on issues of security.
Tensions over the role of the National Guard have been building since the Washington deployment, where critics said arming troops in civilian areas blurred the line between military and police responsibilities.
Baltimore’s inclusion in Trump’s rhetoric has further inflamed debate, with civil rights groups warning of potential clashes between federal troops and local communities.
The dispute underscores the growing divide between the White House and Democratic state leaders, turning National Guard deployment into a new flashpoint in U.S. politics.