Trump demands Maryland Gov Wes Moore clean up ‘out-of-control, crime-ridden’ Baltimore

"Governor Wes Moore of Maryland has asked, in a rather nasty and provocative tone, that I 'walk the streets of Maryland' with him. 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,'" Trump wrote.

"Wes Moore’s record on Crime is a very bad one, unless he fudges his figures on crime like many of the other 'Blue States' are doing. But 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. 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. P.S. 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!!! Also, I gave Wes Moore a lot of money to fix his demolished bridge. I will now have to rethink that decision," he concluded, referring to the Francis Scott Key Bridge that was destroyed by a ship in 2024.

Moore sent a letter to Trump on Thursday wanting to "clarify the root of my frustration and extend an invitation for you to visit Maryland, where we can discuss strategies for effective public safety policy."

He said that he has sought a "different path," and that his administration has taken an "all-of-the-above approach to public safety that addresses the root causes of crime: Mobilizing state resources; building strong partnerships with local jurisdictions, prosecutors, public defenders, police officers, and advocates; and ensuring greater coordination and data-sharing to deliver staggering drops in violent crime."

He wrote that homicides are down in the state by 20 percent from his inauguration in 2023, and that in the first six months of 2025, Baltimore’s police department has seen a 22 percent decrease in homicides and a 19 percent decrease in non-fatal shootings from 2024. "We are currently on track to have the lowest number of homicides in Baltimore City since we began officially keeping crime statistics."

He wrote, "I would like to formally invite you to attend our next public safety walk in September, at a date of your choosing. We would be joined by the Baltimore City Mayor, the Baltimore State’s Attorney, elected officials, local law enforcement, and community groups. In Maryland and in Baltimore, you will find people who share the same commitment to public safety that I have–and who want to be part of the solution, not the problem."

This comes after Trump federalized the police department in nearby Washington, DC and sent in the National Guard to aid in cracking down on crime. The Trump administration also plans on mobilizing 1,700 National Guard troops across 19 states as part of a larger crackdown on crime and illegal immigration. These troops will be active in the states from August to mid-November.