Invasion of cities
Militarizing public life
Whether using ICE and CBP or the National Guard or the U.S. Military, the administration has shown it is willing to use unprecedented force against its own people. But its theatrical invasions of cities around the country have nothing to do with preventing crime–they are part of a brazen power grab aimed at silencing dissent in jurisdictions where the majority of people have different politics than the President.
The facts are clear
We know they’re not serious about safety
Every day we are seeing stories of massive federal resources diverted away from public safety or crime prevention and into terrorizing residents in targeted cities to distract from a corrupt agenda that rewards actual crimes by political supporters and donors
01
They use crime as a pretext for grabbing power
The cities being targeted were already experiencing sharp declines in crime, thanks to many of the policies the administration has canceled, defunded, or repealed
02
They manufacture arguments for squashing dissent
Whether Minneapolis or Los Angeles, Portland or Washington D.C., the tactics are the same: argue in court that the targeted cities are engaging in a “rebellion” requiring military force. Spend hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to dispatch forces into a city, against the wishes of local officials. Aggressively crack down on protestors and journalists who are standing up to the abuse of power.
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They pardon actual criminals that support their profit motive
The administration has handed out pardons like candy to political allies and big money donors, putting actual public safety at risk. From sex traffickers, to a prominent money launderer for terrorists and child pornographers, to fraudsters, to those who violently attacked law enforcement on January 6th, the administration has shown it doesn’t care about public safety when providing cover to political allies and the highest bidders.
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Learn more about the invasion of our cities
Download our one-page explainer that details what the administration is doing, its impact, and the ways to get involved.
What we know
The chaos threatens public safety
The cities being targeted were already experiencing sharp declines in crime, thanks to many of the policies the administration has canceled, defunded, or repealed.
// DOJ caught red handed
Cities strong-armed into policy change
The Department of Justice has acknowledged that these so-called “invasions” are about coercing cities into changing local policies. From demanding access to voter rolls to pressuring cities to align with federal political agendas, the goal is leverage, not safety. This is about consolidating control, not protecting communities.
// Bloated intervention budget
$500 million price tag
In 2025 alone, these unnecessary federal interventions are projected to cost roughly half a billion dollars. That’s money diverted from prevention, healthcare, and local safety strategies that actually reduce harm. Taxpayers are footing the bill for political theater instead of real solutions.
Read details on The Intercept →
// Projection for 2026
$1.1+ billion future cost
If these tactics continue, projected costs in 2026 exceed $1.1 billion. Escalating deployments, legal battles, and expanded enforcement structures come with enormous financial consequences. Every dollar spent expanding federal control is a dollar not invested in community safety.
// Prevention cuts
$800+ million cut from valuable prevention
At the same time, more than $800 million has been cut from violence prevention programs. These are the very initiatives shown to reduce shootings, stabilize families, and interrupt cycles of harm. Ending costly federal overreach could easily restore these critical investments.
// Pardoned extremists
1500+ insurrectionists set loose
The President pardoned more than 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6 insurrection. Among them were people later arrested for serious offenses, including child molestation, attempted violence against federal agents, and threats against elected officials. Expanding executive power while excusing violent actors sends a dangerous message about whose safety truly matters.
Latest resources & news
The truth about public safety and our cities
A serious conversation about public safety would acknowledge what has worked in reducing crime and try to build on it, putting resources into programs that prevent crime. But the administration is simply not serious about safety. Their invasion of cities is all about power.
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