Trump Plans National Guard Deployment to Baltimore, Chicago Amid Local Opposition

President Donald Trump announced plans to deploy National Guard troops to Baltimore and Chicago to combat crime, despite opposition from local and state leaders. During an Oval Office address, Trump justified the deployments by stating his obligation to protect the country, labeling Baltimore as one of the most unsafe places, despite police data showing historic lows in violent crime there. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker both rejected the need for federal troops, with Scott emphasizing the city's improved crime stats and Pritzker calling Trump's demand for a call to request troops "unhinged." Trump has already federalized law enforcement in Washington, D.C., and indicated similar actions would extend to other cities governed by Democrats. The exact timing of the troop deployments remains unclear. This move continues Trump's broader effort to increase federal law enforcement presence in cities with rising crime concerns, despite local resistance.