WASHINGTON ― President Donald Trump said he might expand his crackdown on crime in the nation’s capital to other major U.S. cities as he announced plans to send 800 National Guard troops into Washington, D.C.
Trump singled out New York City, Los Angeles, Baltimore, Chicago and Oakland, California during a Monday, Aug. 11, news conference as potential future targets in what would be a drastic escalation of federal presence on the streets of American cities.
“We’re not going to lose our cities over this. This will go further. We’re starting very strongly with D.C., and we’re going to clean it up real quick,” Trump said.
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Trump did not elaborate on plans for other cities. But one of the two executive actions he signed Aug. 11 directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to coordinate with governors of states and “authorize the orders of any additional members of the National Guard to active service, as he deems necessary and appropriate, to augment this mission.”
“We’re going to take back our capital,” Trump said. “And then we’ll look at other cities also. But other cities are studying what we’re doing.”
Each of the cities that Trump mentioned are led by Democratic mayors in states with Democratic governors, who could be less likely to request the Trump administration’s intervention than Republican governors who are political allies of the president.
“Other cities are hopefully watching this…. And maybe they’ll self-clean up,” Trump said, adding they could be targeted if “they don’t learn their lesson” and study his administration’s moves in Washington. He said he plans to look at New York City next “and if we need to, we’re going to do the same thing in Chicago.”
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In a separate executive order, Trump invoked authority under Section 740 of the Home Rule Act to take control of Washington’s police department. The move, authorized by federal law as part of the District of Columbia’s unique status as a federal enclave, is not an option for Trump elsewhere.
Secretary of Army Daniel Driscoll is set to lead the National Guard’s operation in Washington.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon is also prepared to bring in additional National Guard units and other specialized units if needed. “They will be strong. They will be tough. And they will stand with their law enforcement partners,” Hegseth said.
“This is nothing new for DOD,” he added, pointing to Trump’s deployment of military troops at the United States-Mexico border to crack down on illegal immigration.
Trump reeled off a list of recent violent crimes in Washington, D.C. to justify his actions. Yet, volent crimes so far in 2025 are down 26% compared to last year, and homicides are down 12%, according to statistics compiled by the Metropolitian Police Department. Similarly, homicides in New York City are down in 2025 compared to the same time last year.
An FBI report released Aug. 5 found violent crime in 2024 dropped by 4.5% in the United States compared to 2023, with murder and non-negligent manslaughter decreasing by nearly 15%.
Trump’s authority to direct National Guard troops was challenged earlier this year after he tapped the California National Guard to quell protests over widespread deportations from increased immigration enforcement in the Los Angeles area. After Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom challenged Trump’s control over the troops, a judge ruled in favor of Trump.
Contributing: Cybele Mayes-Osterman of USA TODAY
Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump puts other US cities on notice as he sends National Guard to DC
