Democratic governors are pushing back against President Donald Trump’s threats to deploy National Guard troops in cities led by his political opponents. A letter signed by most of the nation’s Democratic governors, organized by the Democratic Governors Association, urges Trump to back off his plans to send soldiers into cities like Chicago, Washington, and Los Angeles. The letter argues that Trump’s deployment of troops supposedly to aid in civilian law enforcement is unnecessary, illegal, and a misuse of military power.
Trump has sent troops to Washington and Los Angeles in response to protests over the administration’s deportation agenda, and has threatened to send them to Chicago and other cities led by Democrats. The governors argue that Trump’s actions are an alarming abuse of power and undermine the mission of service members. They highlight that the President’s efforts to deploy troops without the request and consent of the state’s governor are not only ineffective but also disrespectful to the authority of state leaders.
The governors stress that the President’s threats to send troops into cities where Democrats hold office are counterproductive and do not address the underlying issues of crime and public safety. They argue that instead of politicizing the military, Trump should focus on real solutions, such as increasing federal funding for law enforcement. The letter emphasizes that every American deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood and community, but Trump’s actions are seen as a distraction from the real work of reducing crime.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson responded to the governors’ criticism, suggesting that their concerns are more about publicity than actual public safety. The spokesperson accused the Democrats of “doing publicity stunts” and urged them to focus on combating crime rather than attacking the president. She pointed to Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, D.C., as an example of a community leader who has praised the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce violent crime.
Despite the governors’ warnings, the threat of federal troop deployment remains a contentious issue. Chicago officials are preparing for the possible arrival of National Guard troops by reviving their plans from last year’s Democratic National Convention. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom has taken a different approach, announcing a plan to deploy state troopers to assist in addressing auto theft and drug crimes. This highlights the growing divide between the President and state leaders over the role of the National Guard in domestic law enforcement.
Four governors – Josh Green of Hawaii, Ned Lamont of Connecticut, Katie Hobbs of Arizona, and Tim Walz of Minnesota – did not sign the letter, raising questions about the level of support for the Democratic Governors Association’s position on this issue. The controversy over the use of the National Guard raises broader concerns about the politicization of military resources and the potential impact on public trust in both state and federal leadership.