Trump signals readiness to deploy active-duty troops to U.S. cities

U.S. President Donald Trump has told American service members he is prepared to send “more than the National Guard” into cities facing unrest, suggesting a willingness to escalate federal intervention against Democratic-led local governments resisting such deployments.

Speaking aboard the USS George Washington docked at the Yokosuka naval base near Tokyo, Trump said his administration was determined to ensure “safe cities,” adding, “If we need more than the National Guard, we’ll send more than the National Guard.” His remarks drew applause from the troops.

Since June, Trump has dispatched National Guard units to several Democratic-run jurisdictions — including Los Angeles, Memphis, and Washington D.C. — and has fought legal challenges over his attempts to send them into Portland and Chicago. In Los Angeles, the White House also briefly deployed active-duty Marines to protect federal assets before withdrawing them.