Moore Calls Trump’s National Guard Deployment ‘Performative’

Maryland Governor Wes Moore (D-MD) criticized President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy the National Guard to cities, calling it “completely performative” during an appearance on ABC’s This Week Sunday.

Concern for Community Safety

Host Martha Raddatz pressed Moore, saying, “You have to admit, governor, that there are people out there who don’t feel safe. And you can tout what you have done, but that is a real problem to people.”

Moore responded with empathy, stating, “My heart breaks for anyone growing up in our community who doesn’t feel safe in their own neighborhood. I know what that feels like. I would welcome more federal support—but only for initiatives that actually work, not ones that are just performative.”

National Guard Not the Answer

Raddatz highlighted the National Guard’s intended role, asking, “You’re clearly talking about the National Guard, and you’re saying that’s performative.”

Moore was firm: “The National Guard is completely performative. They are not trained for municipal policing.” He continued, “As the commander in chief of the Maryland National Guard, I respect their skills. But their training does not equip them for city policing. That’s what local law enforcement, FBI agents, and ATF officers are trained for. Yet, the President’s proposed budget actually cuts funding for these agencies.”

Limited Role in D.C.

Raddatz noted that in D.C., the National Guard is intended to back up local law enforcement. Moore downplayed this, saying, “They’re mostly picking up trash.”