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Democrats denounce Trump’s push to federalize law enforcement across cities
President Donald Trump’s decision to federalize local law enforcement in Washington, D.C., and deploy the National Guard has sparked fierce backlash from Democratic leaders, who see the move as a “hostile takeover” and a politically motivated overreach. Trump announced the measure during a press conference on Monday, pledging to “take back our capital” and warning that similar actions may follow in cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Baltimore, and Oakland.
Democrats push back against Trump’s claims
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser called Trump’s actions “unsettling and unprecedented,” noting that crime in the capital has been declining in recent years. The Democratic Mayors Association condemned the move as a “political charade” and accused the President of spreading misinformation.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a frequent critic of Trump, described the announcement as an attempt to “gaslight his way into militarizing any city he wants in America.” Newsom warned that this was part of a broader pattern of authoritarian behavior on Trump’s part.
Cities targeted by Trump respond Baltimore
Trump’s focus on Baltimore drew a sharp response from its Mayor, Brandon Scott, who pointed out that crime in the city has been steadily decreasing. According to Baltimore police data, violent crime has dropped by 17%, homicides by nearly 28%, and property crimes by 13% over the past year. Scott, along with Maryland Governor Wes Moore, criticized Trump’s claims as “pure lies about our communities” and argued that the federal government’s resources would be better spent addressing national economic instability.
Chicago
In Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson rejected Trump’s criticism of Illinois’ cash bail reform, which the President blamed for rising crime. Contrary to Trump’s claims, crime rates in Illinois have declined since the reform’s implementation, with Chicago police reporting a 15% drop in crime since 2023. Johnson accused Trump of cutting funding for violence prevention programs while using crime as a “political talking point.”
Los Angeles
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass highlighted the city’s historic declines in violent crime, with homicides down 14% and shootings down 19% between 2023 and 2024. Bass dismissed Trump’s threats as a “performance” and warned that militarizing cities would destabilize public safety efforts.
New York
New York City Mayor Eric Adams defended his administration’s crime reduction efforts, noting that overall crime in the city fell by nearly 3% in 2024, despite increases in certain categories like rape and felony assault. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent in the mayoral race, criticized Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani as unprepared to stand up to Trump’s agenda. Mamdani, however, vowed to “fight back” against federal overreach.
Oakland
In Oakland, Mayor Barbara Lee called Trump’s characterization of the city “fear-mongering,” citing police data that shows violent crime dropped by nearly 20% from 2023 to 2024. Lee accused Trump of using baseless rhetoric to score political points.
Broader implications
Trump’s actions in Washington, D.C., and his threats to extend federal control to other cities come amid heightened political tensions and concerns over authoritarianism. While crime rates in many of the targeted cities have been declining, the President’s move has sparked debates about federal overreach, local autonomy, and the politicization of public safety.
