1. United States
2. Utah
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to call for full investigations by both state and federal agencies into President Trump's recent threats to federalize local police forces and mobilize National Guard units in cities across the country, to demand that charges be filed against both officers who fired at unarmed individuals, and to consider legislation abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Trump's announcement on Monday that he plans to take control of Washington D.C.'s police force while threatening similar action in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Baltimore, and Oakland represents a dangerous escalation of federal overreach. Legal experts confirm that while Trump has unique authority over D.C. through the 1973 Home Rule Act, he cannot legally repeat these actions in other cities, which are protected by constitutional doctrines of state autonomy. However, Trump has already tested these limits by federalizing state guards during Los Angeles immigration protests in June, a move currently being challenged in federal court. The justification for these threats is demonstrably false. Crime statistics show violent crime in D.C. reached a 30-year low in 2024, down 26% from the previous year. Baltimore's homicides are at their lowest level on record, down 28% this year. Oakland reports overall crime down 28%, while Los Angeles is on pace for its lowest homicide total in nearly 60 years. Chicago has reduced crime by 15% compared to 2023. Despite these facts, the administration continues to characterize these cities as dangerous. Civil rights leaders including Maya Wiley of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights warn this is "another beta test for nationwide authoritarian control." Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott noted that each city threatened has a Black mayor, raising serious concerns about racial targeting. The use of force against unarmed individuals demands accountability. Both officers who fired at unarmed people must face criminal charges. Without prosecution, we signal that such actions are acceptable. I urge you to launch state and federal investigations into federal overreach and threats to local governance, ensure charges are filed against both officers, and advance legislation abolishing ICE, an agency that has become a tool for militarizing communities rather than serving public safety.