Last Friday, Trump signed an executive order restoring the Pentagon’s pre–World War II name, the Department of War, and has suggested deploying the National Guard to cities including Chicago, Baltimore, and New Orleans. His approach mirrors actions taken in Washington, D.C., where federal agents and the National Guard helped reduce crime after a surge in arrests.
Questions remain about the legality of deploying troops without governors’ consent. Illinois and Maryland, both led by Democrats seen as potential 2028 contenders, and Republican-led Louisiana have been mentioned as possible targets. Trump’s authority faced a setback when a federal judge ruled he broke the law by sending the Guard to Los Angeles during recent riots, though the administration has appealed the decision.
In D.C., the intervention has been deemed successful, with more than 1,000 arrests made. Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser issued an order to continue coordinating with federal law enforcement even after Trump’s emergency powers expire, providing a pathway for ongoing cooperation to maintain public safety.
The president’s recent statements and actions underscore his focus on deploying federal forces to address urban crime, sparking debate over legal authority, state-federal relations, and the scope of executive power in domestic law enforcement.
