Federal Focus Moves to Major Cities
President Donald Trump announced that his administration will broaden its crime-control campaign to Chicago and New York, calling Chicago “a disaster” and promising similar measures in New York. The effort continues a federal focus on Democratic-run cities with Black mayors, drawing criticism from local officials who see the actions as politically charged.
National Guard in DC to Carry Weapons
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered that National Guard personnel stationed in Washington DC will now be armed, reversing earlier assurances that the troops would remain unarmed. Approximately 2,000 Guard members are deployed in the city, including units sent from Republican-led states. Officials said the soldiers will carry service-issued firearms consistent with their duties.
Trump has also taken direct federal oversight of the DC police and placed the Guard under national authority, citing rising crime and homelessness. Local leaders have condemned the move as an overreach of federal power.
Rare Federal Control of State Guard Units
Typically, governors oversee National Guard units, with federal authority invoked only under exceptional circumstances. Earlier this year, Trump bypassed California’s governor to federalize Guard forces in Los Angeles during immigration-related protests, a highly unusual step.
Prosecutors Directed to Seek Maximum Sentences
The initiative also includes changes in prosecutorial policy. Jeanine Pirro, the District’s chief federal prosecutor and former media host, instructed attorneys to file the most severe charges possible in criminal cases, limiting discretion and aiming for longer sentences.
At the same time, Pirro announced that prosecutors should not pursue felony charges for possession of rifles or shotguns, despite local prohibitions. She cited Supreme Court guidance and Justice Department policy to support the decision.
Local Officials Criticize Federal Action
Federal authorities reported over 630 arrests in Washington linked to the operation. Trump indicated that Baltimore, Oakland, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York could also see similar federal interventions.
State and city leaders pushed back. Maryland Governor Wes Moore said Baltimore is reducing crime through community programs and refused to deploy the Guard for “political theater.” Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott accused Trump of targeting Black-led cities and imposing federal oversight on communities he has never personally visited.
