News Summary
President Donald Trump is exploring the option of deploying federal troops to Phoenix to combat a rise in violent crime, surpassing crime rates in Chicago. While he has not detailed specific plans for Arizona, opposition from Democrats has emerged, questioning the legitimacy of such actions. Recent crime statistics show a 2% increase in Phoenix, contrasting with a decline in Chicago’s crime rates. The situation remains contentious as local leaders navigate potential federal involvement in policing amidst ongoing crime challenges.
Phoenix – President Donald Trump is contemplating the possibility of deploying federal troops to combat rising violent crime rates in Phoenix, which has seen a significant uptick in crime. However, he has yet to propose any specific plans for sending troops to Arizona itself. Currently, Phoenix has a higher violent crime rate than Chicago, with reported data showing that it ranks 51st among U.S. cities with populations over 100,000 for violent crime per capita, while Chicago ranks 108th in this category.
Since August 11, Trump has deployed approximately 2,200 National Guard troops to patrol areas in Washington, D.C., following concerns about crime and unrest. Recently, he announced an intention to extend this deployment to cities such as Chicago and Baltimore, the latter being cited as a “hellhole” of crime. Notably, Baltimore ranks fourth in violent crime among midsize and large cities in the U.S., though violent crime rates there actually decreased by 5% last year.
As the discussion around potential troop deployment intensifies, opposition from Democrats has been vocal. Many claim that Trump’s focus seems more about demonstrating power rather than genuinely addressing crime issues. D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton has criticized the troop deployments, labeling them as political maneuvers and questioning any claims of lawlessness that might justify such actions. In response, the D.C. Attorney General has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging violations of laws that restrict military involvement in domestic policing. This lawsuit argues that Trump’s actions could harm the local economy and highlights the point that only Congress has authority over Washington, D.C.
While Trump’s deployment in Washington included 800 National Guard troops from D.C. along with additional troops sourced from six Republican-led states, it remains unclear what specific measures would be taken in Phoenix or other cities. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego has not commented on the potential deployment of troops, leaving local response largely uncertain. There are suggestions from Arizona Representative Greg Stanton that any federal intervention should involve discussions with local mayors to better align support and resources for cities facing crime challenges.
In the context of the recent crime data, Phoenix’s violent crime per capita rose by 2% in 2024, contrasting with a decrease of 11% in Chicago’s crime rate during the same period. Washington, D.C. also observed a significant decrease, with violent crime dropping by nearly 9% last year. These varying crime statistics have prompted discussions around the effectiveness and appropriateness of federal troop deployments in urban settings.
Further complicating matters, numerous Democratic governors have condemned Trump’s troop deployments as unnecessary and illegal. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, however, did not sign onto a joint statement opposing military intervention and has refrained from commenting on the hypotheticals of federal involvement in crime-fighting efforts. On the Republican side, Representative Andy Biggs of Gilbert supports Trump’s actions and has proposed legislation that would enhance presidential control over D.C.’s police during emergencies, signaling a party divide over the issue of federal intervention in local matters.
In light of these tensions, Trump has indicated that he may also consider interventions in other cities, including New Orleans and Oakland, the latter of which faces opposition from California’s Democratic governor. In the wake of nationwide discussions regarding law enforcement and military roles in civilian spaces, recent legal rulings have echoed concerns about the legality of such deployments, with a federal judge ruling that military deployment to Los Angeles earlier this year violated the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts military involvement in civilian policing.
As the debate over crime control strategies continues, cities like Phoenix are left to navigate the complexities of federal involvement, local governance, and the ongoing challenge of addressing violent crime effectively.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Trump Deploys National Guard to Address Crime in D.C.
Pentagon Seeks $200 Million for Border Barrier in Arizona
Additional Resources
- KTAR News: Trump and Phoenix Crime
- Fox 10 Phoenix: Murder Suspect Arrest
- DCourier: Phoenix Violent Crime Rate
- ABC15: Phoenix PD Discussion
- 12 News: Detectives Identifying Suspect
- Wikipedia: Violent Crime
- Google Search: Crime Rates in Phoenix
- Google Scholar: Violent Crime Phoenix
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Violent Crime
- Google News: Phoenix Crime News
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
PHOENIX STAFF WRITER The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
