Baltimore Mayor Scott counters President Trump's statements on city crime, points to record-low violence rates
In a significant turn of events, Washington D.C. saw over 2,000 National Guard troops deployed in August 2025, including D.C.'s and other states' Guards, under federal authority to support the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and federal law enforcement partners [1]. Operating under Title 32, the troops are federally funded and under federal control due to D.C.'s unique status. The mission focuses on securing federal sites, protecting monuments, supporting community safety, and reducing crime in the capital [1].
This deployment follows President Trump’s executive order declaring a "crime emergency" and marks increased federalization of policing in D.C. [3]. The legal basis for this deployment involves untested statutes and the federal control of D.C. National Guard, with broader implications for domestic military use [2].
Meanwhile, in Baltimore, the city is experiencing its safest period in more than 50 years. Baltimore's violent crime rate is at its lowest in decades, according to Mayor Brandon Scott [4]. Homicides are down by more than 20% statewide since Moore's inauguration, with Baltimore recording 84 homicides, the lowest number at this point of the year on record [5]. Nonfatal shootings in Baltimore have dropped 19.5% compared to the same period in 2024 [6]. The number of juveniles killed in the first half of 2025 in Baltimore is the lowest in more than a decade [7]. Homicides in Baltimore are down 28% this year alone [8].
In response to Trump's criticism about Baltimore City students' performance on the Algebra I test, Mayor Brandon Scott defended the progress made by the city's students and criticized the administration for not helping [9]. Scott stated that Baltimore City math scores increased 5x the rate of statewide math scores last year [10].
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has criticized the deployment of the National Guard to Washington, D.C. by President Trump, calling it "deeply dangerous" and lacking both data and a battle plan [11]. Moore stated that if Trump wanted to reduce violent crime, he should look at Maryland's crime drops, which have been among the most impressive in the country over the past two and a half years [12].
Christian Olaniran, a digital producer for a Baltimore-based news outlet, has been covering these developments. Olaniran produces engaging visual content for social media and other platforms, writing stories on various topics including politics, arts, and culture [13].
References:
[1] The Baltimore Banner, "National Guard Deployment in Washington, D.C.", August 2025. [2] The Washington Post, "Legal Aspects of National Guard Deployment in Washington, D.C.", August 2025. [3] The New York Times, "Federalization of Policing in Washington, D.C.", August 2025. [4] Baltimore Sun, "Baltimore's Record-Breaking Safety", August 2025. [5] The Baltimore Banner, "Homicides Down in Baltimore", August 2025. [6] Baltimore City Police Department, "Nonfatal Shootings Drop in Baltimore", August 2025. [7] The Baltimore Banner, "Juvenile Homicides at Record Low in Baltimore", August 2025. [8] Baltimore City Mayor's Office, "Homicides Down 28% in Baltimore", August 2025. [9] The Baltimore Banner, "Trump Criticizes Baltimore City Students", August 2025. [10] The Baltimore Banner, "Baltimore City Math Scores Improve", August 2025. [11] The Baltimore Banner, "Moore Criticizes National Guard Deployment", August 2025. [12] The Baltimore Banner, "Moore Encourages Trump to Look at Maryland's Crime Reduction", August 2025. [13] The Baltimore Banner, "Meet Christian Olaniran", August 2025.
- The deployment of over 2,000 National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. in August 2025, under federal authority, is focusing on securing federal sites, protecting monuments, supporting community safety, and reducing crime in the capital.
- President Trump's executive order declaring a "crime emergency" led to this deployment, marking increased federalization of policing in D.C., a move that has been criticized for its legal basis and broader implications for domestic military use.
- Meanwhile, Baltimore, a city that has traditionally struggled with high crime rates, is experiencing its safest period in over 50 years. Homicides and nonfatal shootings have dropped significantly, setting record lows.
- In a separate development, Baltimore City's math scores improved 5 times the statewide average last year, a fact that Mayor Brandon Scott defended against criticism from President Trump regarding the city's students' performance on the Algebra I test.
