Baltimore’s Mayor Brandon Scott (D) criticized former President Trump for what he described as a “racist perspective” following Trump’s suggestion to extend criminal enforcement from Washington, D.C. to other major U.S. cities, including Baltimore.
During an interview on Monday night, Scott indicated that the White House should cooperate with local leaders, who are already working hard to reduce violent crime rates.
“The president has picked up a lot from us but hasn’t thrown anything our way,” Mayor Scott said on CNN’s “Laura Coates Live.” He added, “What he’s doing is merely recycling this right-wing propaganda, which, honestly, holds a racist view about these cities, trying to sell the public an untrue narrative.”
Trump had earlier declared a public safety emergency in the nation’s capital, allowing for federal oversight of the metropolitan police department (MPD) and the mobilization of the National Guard.
In his latest anti-crime initiative, Trump described other American cities as “very bad,” mentioning places like Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. He also pointed out cities such as Baltimore and Oakland, suggesting they have fallen off the radar.
Scott explained on CNN that cities like Baltimore are striving to combat violence through community-focused programs that unite law enforcement, legal advocates, and the community.
“It’s crucial to note that every city the president has mentioned has a black mayor, and many of these cities are experiencing their lowest violent crime rates in history,” Scott remarked. “No mayor claims we can ignore crime; it’s our top concern daily.”
He also noted that the Trump administration has not contacted him regarding crime or the city’s efforts to mitigate it.
The White House has not yet responded to Scott’s comments, although Trump and his supporters disputed the assertion that crime rates were declining in the cities being targeted.
Columbia-area lawyer Janine Piro echoed concerns during a White House briefing, saying, “There are too many violent crimes and young individuals believing they can band together in gangs and defy authority.”
Additionally, White House officials highlighted that the D.C. police commander is under investigation for allegedly manipulating crime statistics in his district. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) and MPD chief Pamela Smith chose not to comment on this matter during a separate press briefing due to the ongoing investigation.
Trump has likened his anti-crime strategies to tough immigration enforcement at the southern border, advocating for stricter rules and the right personnel to implement them.
In solidarity with Trump’s stance, the head of the D.C. police union, Greg Pemberton, stated, “Crime is spiraling out of control, and our officers are reaching their breaking point.”
