Maryland Governor Wes Moore has refused to authorize National Guard deployment in his state for what he deems politically motivated missions, condemning President Trump’s deployment of troops to Washington, D.C. as an inappropriate use of military personnel. The Democratic governor and Afghanistan War veteran expressed profound disappointment over the deployment, framing it as a distraction from substantive policy failures.
Governor Wes Moore, commander-in-chief of Maryland’s National Guard, publicly declared he would never approve state guard deployments for non-essential missions. This statement came in response to President Trump’s deployment of approximately 800 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C. on August 12, 2025. Moore emphasized his authority over Maryland’s forces while criticizing the federal action.
The deployment occurred following Trump’s announcement that he was placing D.C.’s police department under federal control, citing the need to address ‘lawlessness’ in what he called ‘one of the most dangerous cities anywhere in the world.’ This move bypassed local elected officials in the District of Columbia, drawing sharp criticism from local leaders who labeled it ‘unprecedented’ and ‘dangerous.’
Moore, appearing visibly emotional during a CNN interview, stated he felt ’embarrassed, angered and heartbroken’ for service members involved. As a veteran himself, he framed the deployment as exploiting citizen-soldiers for political theater rather than legitimate security needs. The governor accused Trump of using troops as ‘a cudgel’ to divert attention from policy failures including rising unemployment and social benefit cuts.
The White House defended the action through spokesperson Abigail Jackson, who claimed Democratic leaders had allowed crime to ‘surge out of control’ and stated the administration was implementing ‘common sense policies’ supported by Americans. This contrasts with D.C.’s actual 26% decrease in violent crime this year, and Baltimore’s reported near-50-year low homicide rate under Moore’s governance.
Legal challenges appear imminent, with D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb indicating exploration of all options to contest the federal takeover. The deployment is currently scheduled to continue until at least September 25, 2025. Trump has suggested similar interventions could occur in Baltimore, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Oakland.
This deployment represents one of the most significant federal interventions in local law enforcement in modern U.S. history. It parallels ongoing litigation in California regarding the administration’s earlier federalization of National Guard units during immigration protests, setting potential precedents for military-civil relations.
The controversy highlights deepening tensions between state and federal authorities regarding military deployments. Moore’s stance establishes a clear boundary for Maryland’s National Guard usage while positioning him as a prominent Democratic voice challenging Trump’s law enforcement approach during the 2025 political cycle.
