(Crankers) Maryland Governor Wes Moore and President Donald Trump got into a heated argument as they traded insults while discussing the crime situation in Baltimore. Moore later invited Trump to take a “public safety walk” in Baltimore after the president’s criticism of the city’s crime rate. Trump responded by threatening to send in federal “troops” to “clean up the crime” like he’s doing in D.C.
Trump criticized Baltimore’s crime and Governor Moore sent a letter inviting Trump on a public safety walk in Baltimore. Moore, an Army veteran, had previously criticized Trump’s deployment of military forces for domestic law enforcement, even though it appears to have reduced crime by large numbers.
Trump responded on social media, describing Baltimore as “out of control, crime ridden.” He suggested he would visit only after the city’s “Crime disaster” was cleaned up. He also threatened to send “troops” to Baltimore if Moore asked for help, and warned he might “rethink” federal funding for the Francis Scott Key Bridge reconstruction.
Since then, things escalated and Moore and Trump exchanged personal insults, including Moore bringing up Trump’s contested Vietnam-era military deferment. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott also rebuffed Trump’s comments, pointing to the city’s falling crime rates and noting that Trump’s administration had previously cut federal funds for violence intervention programs.
So what’s the deal with Baltimore? Is Baltimore safe?
The short answer is no.
Violent crime rates have seen a historic decline in recent years, but they remain high compared to national averages. The city’s safety also varies significantly by neighborhood, with tourist areas generally considered safer – something that most people expect anyway since there’s a lot of people around.
When the politicians say crime went down, they are right. But they are purposely omitting the fact that Baltimore’s crime, even when decreased, is still higher than the national average.