The president made provocative claims at the cabinet meeting as a National Guard patrol during the cabinet meeting

president Donald Trump He told reporters Tuesday that he believes crime will be the focus of the 2026 midterm elections, a theme he has been in recent days to inspire his controversial “federal” push for support in Washington, D.C.

Trump was asked when he spoke at a cabinet meeting in the White House on Tuesday Promote “Federalization” The country’s capital deployed hundreds of DC National Guard units across the city by invoking the DC Home Rule Act – he suggested that efforts proposed in more than once should be adopted by some Democratic-led cities, including Chicago.

“I think crime will be a big deal,” Trump said in the 2026 midterm elections. The rest of his answer is clear – if hyperbolic and lacks specific details.

“Republicans are political parties that want to stop crime,” he said. “We oppose crime.”

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Trump continued: “Democrats are like crime.” No further explanation was provided.

Trump’s rhetoric appears to be centered on Chicago and other Democratic-led American cities, which Trump has threatened to deploy the National Guard to “clean up” cities in recent weeks.

In fact, whether he can do so remains an open question – a question suggested by experts can raise a range of issues and legal challenges.

President Donald Trump spoke with law enforcement officers and National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, August 21, 2025. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP photo)

“It’s hard to believe what has been done,” Trump told reporters in the last 12 days of his federalization efforts.

Trump then turned to other issues he suggested that Democrats have weakened, including border security, transgender rights, and “men are playing women’s sports” before integrating into specific sports.

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The National Guard patrolled the nightlife area in Washington, D.C. on August 23, 2025, as part of the Trump administration’s crime. (Craig Hudson for the Washington Post via Getty Images)

Trump’s remarks come in his ongoing defense of the District of Columbia, which began 12 days ago with the temporary control of the city’s police force and the deployment of National Guard forces in the national capital.

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The president touted his efforts on Tuesday and told reporters: “If I were a Democrat – the governor, mayor or anyone – I would call President Trump and say, ‘President Trump, we need your help. We see everything you do in DC in 12 days.'”

“It’s 12 days. We haven’t even started yet. It’s going to be so safe. It’s going to be the safest place on the planet,” he said.