‘Will send troops if needed’: Trump threatens Baltimore; slams Maryland governor Wes Moore over crime

US President Donald Trump has warned that he may send federal troops to Baltimore, sharply criticising Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s handling of crime in the city. The statement, posted on Sunday on his Truth Social platform, follows similar threats made by him regarding New York City, and Chicago, this week. Responding to a recent challenge by Governor Moore to "walk the streets of Maryland" with him, Trump wrote: “I assume he is talking about out of control, crime ridden, Baltimore? As President, I would much prefer that he clean up this crime disaster before I go there for a ‘walk’.”Accusing Moore of having a poor crime record, Trump added, “If Wes Moore needs help, like Gavin Newscum did in LA, I will send in the ‘troops,’ which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the Crime.” Trump referred to California Governor Gavin Newsom as “Gavin Newscum,” a derogatory twist he has often used in past posts.Trump, who recently claimed credit for a reported drop in crime in Washington DC following increased federal presence, warned that similar action could be taken in Baltimore if conditions persist. “After only one week, there is NO CRIME AND NO MURDER IN DC! When it is like that in Baltimore, I will proudly ‘walk the streets’ with the failing, because of Crime, Governor of Maryland,” he stated.In the same post, Trump also referred to a federal contribution made to support reconstruction efforts after the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key bridge earlier this year, suggesting he may “rethink that decision.”“Baltimore is ranked the 4th WORST CITY IN THE NATION IN CRIME & MURDER. Stop talking and get to work, Wes. I’ll then see you on the streets!!!” Trump concluded.The post adds to a series of recent assertions by Trump where he has threatened to intervene directly in Democrat-led cities to address crime, marking a continuation of his “law and order” messaging ahead of the 2026 midterms.