DETROIT – Vice President JD Vance offered to deploy the National Guard to Detroit during remarks at a Howell stamping facility, citing concerns about crime in the city.
The offer comes as the Trump administration ordered National Guard troops into Memphis to address crime concerns there.
“The city of Detroit, we know, has got some serious crime problems, and we know that it’s the people in Detroit who suffer the most when crime is allowed to run rampant all over city streets,” said Vance.
The vice president directed his offer specifically to Michigan’s governor, saying, “Gretchen, we’re happy to send the National Guard into Detroit, Michigan, all you’ve got to do is ask.”
However, Detroit officials strongly dispute the characterization of the city’s crime situation.
The mayor’s office points to record declines in homicides, shootings, and carjackings.
John Roach, spokesperson for Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, defended the city’s current approach to public safety.
“The current partnership between federal, state, county, and private violence prevention groups is achieving record reductions, and it would be a serious mistake to abandon this successful strategy,” Roach said.
Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel condemned the National Guard proposal.
“It’s a violation of our Constitution, of our state sovereignty, and I think it would be an embarrassment here, just like it’s an embarrassment anywhere else they do it,” Hertel said.
Local 4 reached out to the governor’s office for comment about the National Guard deployment offer and is awaiting a response.