Federal Strategy Targets Urban Centers
President Donald Trump declared that his administration will expand its crime-control measures to Chicago and New York, criticizing Chicago as being in disarray and saying New York would be next. The initiative continues a federal campaign focused on Democratic-run cities led by Black mayors, sparking political pushback.
National Guard to Patrol with Weapons in Washington
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered that National Guard units operating in Washington DC will now be equipped with firearms, overturning earlier assurances they would remain unarmed. Around 2,000 Guard personnel are currently deployed in the city, including reinforcements from Republican-led states. Officials stated that the troops will carry standard military weapons in accordance with their mission.
Trump has already assumed direct oversight of the DC police and placed Guard forces under federal authority, citing public safety and homelessness concerns. City officials have strongly opposed the federal takeover.
Rare Use of Federal Control Over Guard Forces
Normally, National Guard troops remain under the command of state governors, with federal authority invoked only in exceptional emergencies. Earlier this year, Trump bypassed California’s governor to place Guard units in Los Angeles under federal orders during protests over immigration enforcement, an unusual move that challenged state control.
Tougher Prosecution Guidelines
The federal push also extends to the courts. Jeanine Pirro, Washington’s chief federal prosecutor and a former television personality, directed attorneys to file the severest possible charges in criminal cases, limiting their discretion in charging decisions. The shift is expected to produce longer sentences for offenders.
Pirro simultaneously announced that prosecutors would not pursue felony cases for possession of rifles or shotguns, despite a District ban. She cited Supreme Court precedent and Justice Department policy in defending the decision.
Strong Resistance From Local Leaders
The administration reported more than 630 federal arrests in Washington tied to the initiative. Trump has also suggested extending similar actions to Baltimore, Oakland, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York.
Officials in those cities voiced strong opposition. Maryland Governor Wes Moore insisted that Baltimore’s crime reduction efforts are community-driven and said he would not mobilize the Guard for political show. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott accused Trump of singling out Black-led municipalities and targeting neighborhoods unfamiliar to him.
