White House Plans Move Into New Cities
President Donald Trump said his administration will widen its law-and-order campaign to include Chicago and New York, calling Chicago “out of control” and promising New York would be next. The move continues a federal strategy focused on large Democratic-run cities led by Black mayors, a pattern that has drawn strong objections from local officials.
Guard Units Authorized to Carry Weapons in Washington
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that National Guard troops deployed in Washington DC will now carry firearms, overturning earlier commitments that they would remain unarmed. Approximately 2,000 soldiers are currently stationed across the capital, many brought in from Republican-led states. Officials confirmed the deployment will involve standard military weapons consistent with their training.
Trump has already assumed control over the DC police department and placed Guard forces under federal authority, citing public safety concerns tied to crime and homelessness. Local leaders have denounced the decision as an overreach.
Rare Federal Oversight of Guard Forces
Normally, National Guard operations fall under state governors, with federal intervention permitted only in extraordinary emergencies. Earlier this summer, Trump bypassed California’s governor to place Guard units in Los Angeles under federal command during protests against immigration enforcement, a move rarely used in modern times.
New Charging Directives From Prosecutors
The administration’s effort also includes new prosecutorial guidelines. Jeanine Pirro, the city’s chief federal prosecutor and a former broadcaster, directed attorneys to file the harshest charges possible in most criminal cases, limiting the ability of prosecutors to make independent judgments. The approach is expected to produce stiffer penalties.
Pirro also instructed that prosecutors should avoid felony cases for possession of rifles or shotguns, despite a District ban on such weapons. She said the change reflects rulings from the Supreme Court and guidance from the Justice Department.
Criticism From State and Local Officials
Federal authorities reported more than 630 arrests in Washington linked to the initiative. Trump has named Baltimore, Oakland, Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago as possible next targets.
Local leaders pushed back strongly. Maryland Governor Wes Moore said Baltimore is reducing violence through community programs and refused to activate the Guard for “political display.” Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott accused Trump of deliberately targeting Black-led cities and intervening in places he has never experienced firsthand.
