Maryland Gov. Moore Criticizes Trump National Guard DC Deployment

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has strongly criticized President Donald Trump's decision to deploy the National Guard to Washington, D.C., calling it politically motivated, constitutionally problematic, and lacking seriousness. Moore, a military veteran and commander-in-chief of the Maryland National Guard, emphasized that he would only authorize Guard deployment if it were mission-critical and mission-aligned, rejecting the use of military forces as political tools. He highlighted significant reductions in violent crime in Baltimore without military intervention and accused Trump of using National Guard members as pawns to advance political purposes amid rising unemployment and social challenges. Trump’s move, including federalizing the D.C. Metropolitan Police, is framed by the administration as necessary to restore law and order amid crime concerns, although critics argue that violent crime rates in D.C. and Baltimore are at decades-long lows. The deployment sparked varied responses, with some media figures and local leaders challenging both the necessity and the implications of increased federal intervention in local law enforcement. Moore’s stance underscores a broader debate on the balance between public safety, military involvement in policing, and political motivations behind such federal actions.