National Guard troops were stationed at Union Station in Washington, D.C., as commuters and tourists arrived on Aug. 20, 2025. (Fox News Digital/Emma Woodhead)
"The Democrats like crime," Trump continued, without providing any further explanation.
Trump's remarks appear to be focused on Chicago and other Democrat-led U.S. cities where Trump has threatened, in recent weeks, to deploy the National Guard to "clean up" the cities.
Whether, in fact, he can do so, remains an open question — and one that experts have suggested could invite a litany of issues and legal challenges.
National Guard troops carrying rifles patrol a nightlife district in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 23, 2025, as part of the Trump administration’s crime crackdown. (Craig Hudson For The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Trump's remarks come amid his ongoing defense of his "federalization" of D.C., which began 12 days ago and involved temporarily taking control of the city's police force, and deploying National Guard troops throughout the nation's capital.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The president touted the success of his efforts on Tuesday, telling reporters, "If I were a Democrat — governor or mayor or anybody — I'd call up President Trump and say, 'President Trump, we need your help. We saw what you've done in DC in a period of 12 days.'"
"This is 12 days. We haven't even started. This is going to be so safe. It'll be the safest place on earth," he said.
Breanne Deppisch is a national politics reporter for Fox News Digital covering the Trump administration, with a focus on the Justice Department, FBI, and other national news.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-claims-were-against-crime-democrats-like-crime