Governor of Pennsylvania prepares for potential call-up of National Guard troops in Philadelphia, due to possible intervention by Donald Trump

In a recent press conference, President Trump announced his plans to send the National Guard to several cities, including Washington, D.C., and now, Philadelphia, as part of his ongoing crime reduction efforts.

The President's push to send federal law enforcement into Democratic-run cities stems from his success in reducing crime in Washington, D.C. According to the governor's office, gun violence was down by 42% across the state since Governor Josh Shapiro took office.

However, Governor Shapiro has expressed concerns about disruptions to progress. He emphasised that now is not a time to disrupt progress with distrust, as the President is doing in other communities. In response to a press question at Murrell Dobbins Career & Technical Education High School in North Philadelphia, Governor Shapiro stated his focus is on continuing the progress being made in Pennsylvania.

The Governor is preparing for potential National Guard deployment in Philadelphia following President Trump's announcement of other cities. This preparation comes after President Trump's decision to take the guard away from governors and deploy them in Los Angeles.

It's worth noting that, unlike in Los Angeles, no imminent word has been received regarding National Guard deployment to Philadelphia. According to Governor Shapiro, the state is prepared if President Trump decides to send National Guard troops to the city.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Police Department reported an overall crime decrease by 5.61% in the city. This positive trend is echoed at the state level, with violent crime down by 12% in 2024.

Governor Shapiro has also highlighted his administration's investment in policing and community organizations, stating that he understands what communities need to do to make people safe.

In a separate development, a federal judge ruled on Tuesday morning that President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violated federal law when they used troops in Los Angeles to protect federal agents during an aggressive immigration crackdown.

President Trump has also praised Mayor Muriel Bowser for working with federal partners to stop crime in the city. Despite these efforts, it remains to be seen how the President's crime reduction strategies will unfold in Philadelphia and other cities.

Governor of Pennsylvania prepares for potential call-up of National Guard troops in Philadelphia, due to possible intervention by Donald Trump