Background on Donald Trump and His Relevance
Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, served from January 2017 to January 2021. Known for his controversial policies and divisive rhetoric, Trump’s presidency significantly impacted American politics and society. His recent threats to deploy the National Guard in democratic strongholds like Baltimore, Maryland, highlight his ongoing focus on crime and immigration.
Trump’s Actions and Controversies
Deployment of National Guard in Washington, D.C.
In June 2021, Trump ordered nearly 5,000 soldiers to Los Angeles to quell protests against immigration raids. This move sparked fierce opposition from California Governor Gavin Newsom, a potential Democratic presidential candidate in 2028. In July 2021, Trump deployed the National Guard in Washington D.C., claiming it was a demonstration of force to combat crime and immigration.
Armed National Guard Units in Washington, D.C.
The National Guard announced that starting Sunday night, their unit in Washington would begin carrying weapons, a significant shift from previous restrictions where arms were only permitted in case of necessity and stored in an armory.
Trump vs. Maryland Governor Wes Moore
Trump’s threats to deploy the National Guard in Baltimore, another democratic stronghold, have angered numerous Democratic leaders, including Maryland Governor Wes Moore.
Escalating Dispute
The dispute between Trump and Maryland’s governor intensified this week. Moore criticized Trump for his troop deployments, prompting Trump to call him “unpleasant” and threaten to revoke federal funds for repairing a collapsed bridge.
Moore invited Trump to walk Baltimore’s streets together, aiming to clarify “this ridiculous ignorance, these clichés, and these 80s-era fear tactics” used by the president. Trump responded by implying Moore should clean up Baltimore’s issues before taking a leisurely stroll.
Moore countered by pointing out that Maryland’s homicide rate has dropped more than 20% since he became governor, emphasizing Baltimore’s crime rate has never been lower during his tenure.
Chicago on the Horizon?
Trump stated on Friday that Chicago and New York, significant cities led by Democrats, would receive National Guard troops, following Washington D.C.’s example.
“We’re going to make our cities very, very safe,” Trump declared at the White House. “Chicago will be next, and then we’ll help New York.”
The Pentagon has not confirmed these plans, but Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, both Democrats, have firmly rejected the idea.
“Donald Trump and the MAGA movement (Make America Great Again) attempt to portray their party as a ‘law and order’ party,” Pritzker posted on X. “This is far from the truth. In 2024, Chicago recorded 573 homicides, an 8% decrease from the previous year.”
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Who is Donald Trump? A: Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, served from January 2017 to January 2021.
- Q: Why is Trump deploying the National Guard? A: Trump claims it’s to combat crime and immigration in democratic strongholds.
- Q: Who is Wes Moore? A: Wes Moore is the Governor of Maryland and a critic of Trump’s troop deployments.
- Q: What is the dispute between Trump and Moore about? A: The dispute centers around Trump’s threats to deploy the National Guard in Baltimore and Moore’s criticism of those plans.
- Q: What is Trump’s plan for Chicago? A: Trump has threatened to deploy the National Guard in Chicago, though this plan has not been confirmed by the Pentagon.
