Baltimore Mayor Pushes Back Against Trump's Troop Threat: A Simple Request from City Leaders

Baltimore's Mayor Slams Trump Troop Threat: "What We Want from the President is Very Simple" BALTIMORE - In a sit-down interview with a local news outlet, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott pushed back against President Donald Trump's threat to send troops to his city. The move comes as part of Trump's plan to ramp up federal involvement in local law enforcement. According to Scott, this year has seen the fewest amount of homicides through this date on record - a 50-year low. "That's still not good enough for me," he said. "We're working hard to keep our city safe, and we don't need the president's troops to do it." Trump had promised to send troops to more cities, including Baltimore, during a press conference earlier this week. He claimed that his administration has a right to deploy National Guard troops in response to perceived threats to public safety. However, Trump's move has been met with criticism from some lawmakers and civil rights groups. In July, a federal judge ruled that Trump broke the law when deploying National Guard troops in Los Angeles. Baltimore's mayor emphasized that what his city wants from the president is "very simple." "We want him to respect our local authority and let us do our job," Scott said. "We don't need his troops or his interference." The Washington Post recently reported that homicide rates in Baltimore have plummeted nearly 23 percent compared to this time last year. Background on Trump's plan to deploy National Guard troops has been met with controversy, with some arguing that it is an overreach of federal authority and others seeing it as a necessary measure to combat rising crime rates. The White House did not respond to requests for comment on the situation in Baltimore. However, Trump's administration has maintained that its actions are necessary to protect public safety. As the situation continues to unfold, local officials are urging residents to remain calm and focused on community-led initiatives to reduce violence. Scott emphasized that his city is committed to keeping its residents safe without relying on federal intervention. "We're working hard to build trust between law enforcement and our communities," he said. "That's what we need from the president - support for our efforts, not interference." *Reporting by Motherjones.*