Maryland Governor Wes Moore extended a formal invitation to President Donald Trump on August 21, 2025, to participate in a public safety walk in Baltimore next month, amid ongoing disputes over crime reduction strategies and the use of National Guard troops in urban areas. The invitation, detailed in a letter from Maryland Governor Wes Moore to the White House, follows Trump’s recent criticism of Baltimore’s crime situation and personal remarks directed at the governor.
In the letter, Maryland Governor Wes Moore referenced a response from Trump last week regarding concerns over National Guard deployment for municipal policing in Washington, D.C., which included personal insults from the Oval Office. Maryland Governor Wes Moore clarified his frustration, emphasizing public safety as his top priority both professionally and personally, drawing from his upbringing in underserved communities. He highlighted Maryland’s comprehensive approach to addressing crime’s root causes, including mobilizing state resources, fostering partnerships with local jurisdictions, prosecutors, public defenders, police, and advocates, and improving coordination and data-sharing.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore noted significant progress, with statewide homicides down 20% since his inauguration two and a half years ago. For the first six months of 2025, the Baltimore Police Department reported a 22% decrease in homicides and a 19% decrease in non-fatal shootings compared to the previous year, putting the city on track for the lowest homicide count since official records began. These reductions persist despite federal funding cuts under the Trump administration to violence intervention and gun violence prevention programs, which Maryland Governor Wes Moore credited with contributing to safer neighborhoods through continued state and local investments in proven strategies.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore stressed that progress requires appropriate tools, arguing that deploying National Guard troops for city policing fails that standard and represents performative rather than effective action. As part of his administration’s strategy, Maryland Governor Wes Moore regularly joins community advocates and officials for walks in high-crime neighborhoods, ensuring grassroots leaders influence decisions rather than serving as partisan talking points. The proposed September walk would include Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, the Baltimore State’s Attorney, elected officials, local law enforcement, and community groups, offering Trump a chance to engage with those committed to solutions.
The exchange stems from Trump’s August 11, 2025, announcement of federal measures to address crime in Washington, D.C., during which he described Baltimore as “so far gone” on crime, alongside other cities like Oakland. Trump has a history of critiquing Baltimore, including 2019 comments labeling it a “disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess.” In response to Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s opposition to National Guard involvement in Maryland, Trump slammed the governor on August 14, 2025, escalating the rhetoric. Maryland Governor Wes Moore countered by dismissing criticism from those without military service, referring to Trump as a “chicken hawk,” and defending his stance on TV appearances.
Baltimore’s 2025 mid-year crime data supports Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s claims, showing double-digit drops in gun violence, with homicides reduced by 22% through June compared to 2024. If trends continue, the city could end the year with about 143 murders, a rate of 25 per 100,000 residents, the lowest in decades. Other categories reflect progress: auto thefts down 34%, robberies down 23%, arson down 10%, and carjackings down 15% as of late July.
Statewide, Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s administration has prioritized an “all-of-the-above” public safety agenda, including reforms to victim compensation, police recruitment and retention, and a center for firearm violence prevention and intervention. In July 2025, the administration convened partners to promote reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals, aiming to reduce recidivism through job training and support.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore, a Democrat elected in 2022, has focused on these initiatives since taking office, building on his experience as CEO of the Robin Hood Foundation, where he funded research on crime’s long-term impacts and distributed resources for job training. His 2024 legislative agenda included bills for juvenile justice reforms and family support for crime victims, addressing Marylanders’ concerns over youth violence. Baltimore residents have pushed back against Trump’s characterization, with some asserting the city is “not too far gone” and highlighting local efforts’ success.
The invitation underscores differing views on federal versus state-led crime strategies, with Maryland Governor Wes Moore advocating for community-driven, data-backed methods over military intervention. Trump’s administration has emphasized National Guard deployments in high-crime areas, as seen in the D.C. plan, which Maryland Governor Wes Moore called “deeply dangerous” for treating service members as political pawns.
The White House has not yet responded to the letter, leaving the September event’s potential participation uncertain.
