Maryland Governor Criticizes National Guard Deployment in DC; White House Claims Crime Underreported

Annapolis, MD – Maryland Governor Wes Moore has voiced strong disapproval of President Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard for municipal policing duties in Washington, D.C. Governor Moore, who also serves as the commander-in-chief of the Maryland Guard, characterized the deployment as lacking seriousness and being “deeply dangerous.” He stated that such actions appear to be taken without adequate data or a clear strategy, suggesting they are being used as a distraction from national policies that he claims are negatively impacting unemployment and essential assistance programs.

In contrast to the federal approach, Governor Moore highlighted Maryland’s efforts in reducing violent crime. He pointed to a significant decrease in homicides in the state, citing a drop of over 20% since the current administration took office. Furthermore, he noted that Baltimore is experiencing its safest period in five decades, attributing this success to robust partnerships between city leadership, law enforcement, and the community. The Governor expressed an openness to discussions with the White House on public safety matters, should the administration initiate contact.

“As someone who has served overseas in uniform and is commander-in-chief of the Maryland Guard, I take how, when, and why we deploy members of our armed forces personally and seriously,” said Moore. “These actions by the president lack both data and a battle plan. He is simply using honorable men and women as pawns to distract us from his policies, which continue to drive up unemployment and strip away health care and food assistance from those who need it most.”

Moore served in the U.S. Army and was deployed to Afghanistan as part of the 82nd Airborne Division. He was awarded a Bronze Star after notable public controversy.

The White House, in a separate statement, presented data asserting that crime in Washington, D.C. is “out of control.” According to the provided information, the city’s homicide rate in 2024 was 27.3 per 100,000 residents, placing it as the fourth highest in the nation and significantly higher than cities like New York City, Atlanta, Chicago, and Compton. If Washington, D.C. were a state, its homicide rate would be the highest in the country, a stark increase from a rate of 13.9 per 100,000 residents in 2012. The White House also stated that the city’s murder rate is roughly three times that of Islamabad, Pakistan, and 18 times that of Havana, Cuba.

Further statistics released by the White House indicated a rise in juvenile arrests for violent crimes since 2020. In the previous year, Washington, D.C. reported 29,348 crimes, with 3,469 classified as violent offenses. These include 1,026 assaults with a dangerous weapon and 2,113 robberies. Motor vehicle thefts also remain a significant issue, with over 5,000 reported incidents, and carjackings reportedly increasing by 547% between 2018 and 2023. The White House also cited specific incidents, such as the murders of embassy staffers and an intern, and an assault on an administration staffer by a mob, as evidence of a breakdown in public order. The administration suggested that crime statistics may be understated due to underreporting by residents and potential manipulation of data by local police leadership.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Office of Governor Wes Moore, The White House, and previous coverage.

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