Posted on 08/24/25
| News Source: WBAL TV
Washington, D.C. - Aug. 24, 2025 - President Donald Trump responded Sunday to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore's invitation to visit Baltimore, saying the state needs to first "clean up this crime disaster."
The exchange started during the president's Aug. 11 announcement about Washington, D.C., when he deployed the National Guard to take over law enforcement duties in the nation's capital. During that announcement, the president also referenced Baltimore, saying, in part:
"We have other cities also that are bad, very bad. You look at Chicago, how bad it is, you look at Los Angeles, how bad it is, other cities that are very bad, New York is a problem, and then you have, of course, Baltimore and Oakland — you don't even mention that anymore they're so far gone."
Moore responded last week by sending a letter to the president, inviting him to actually visit Baltimore and citing police data that he said shows violent crime is at some of its lowest levels in decades.
That appears to have led to Sunday's post in which the president cited Baltimore as the fourth worst U.S. city in crime and murder, without providing evidence supporting those claims.
In Sunday's post, he claimed "no crime and no murder" in D.C. since taking federal action, saying he would "send in the 'troops'" to Baltimore "if Wes Moore needs help."
Trump wrote that he would "proudly 'walk the streets'" in Baltimore after similar action is taken in the city.
The president further suggested he might have to reconsider federal funding for the rebuilding of the Francis Scott Key Bridge that was finalized before he took office.
Not long after the president's post, the governor fired back on his personal X account, saying: "President Bone Spurs will do anything to get out of walking – even if that means spouting off more lies about the progress we're making on public safety in Maryland. Hey Donald, we can get you a golf cart if that makes things easier. Just let my team know."
The president's post on Truth Social, which was also reposted on X by an ancillary White House account, follows in its entirety:
"Governor Wes Moore of Maryland has asked, in a rather nasty and provocative tone, that t '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.' 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 L.A., I will send in the 'troops,' which is being done in nearby D.C., and quickly clean up the crime.
"After only one week, there is NO CRIME AND NO MURDER IN D.C.! 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 fourth 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??? Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! President DJT."