Trump Signals Readiness to Deploy Active-Duty Troops in US Cities Amid Clashes With Democratic Leaders

US President Donald Trump has told American troops he is prepared to send “more than the National Guard” into US cities if needed — the latest sign of his willingness to escalate tensions with Democratic-led local governments opposing his deployments.

Speaking aboard the USS George Washington aircraft carrier docked at Japan’s Yokosuka naval base on Tuesday, Trump received repeated applause and cheers as he touched on a mix of military and partisan themes.

“We have cities that are troubled … and we’re sending in our National Guard. And if we need more than the National Guard, we’ll send more than the National Guard because we’re going to have safe cities,” Trump declared.

Since June, the president has deployed National Guard units to several Democratic-run jurisdictions — including Los Angeles, Memphis, and Washington, D.C. — marking an extraordinary expansion of military involvement in domestic affairs. He is also pursuing court approval to send troops to Portland and Chicago.

In Los Angeles, Trump even authorized active-duty Marines to protect federal property and agents — a rare move that has since been reversed.

Trump has not ruled out invoking the centuries-old Insurrection Act, which permits the use of active-duty military forces for law enforcement, allowing him to bypass legal challenges to National Guard deployments.

Under federal law, the military is generally barred from civilian policing, but the Insurrection Act provides an exception, empowering troops to conduct arrests and maintain order.

Since beginning his second term in January, Trump has shown little restraint in exercising executive power against political adversaries, testing the boundaries of presidential authority.

Last month, in remarks to senior military commanders, he floated the idea of using US cities as “training grounds” for the armed forces — a suggestion that alarmed Democrats and civil liberties advocates.