Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas says race is playing a role in President Donald Trump’s crime crackdown in major U.S. cities, especially those led by Black mayors.
On Monday, President Trump sent the National Guard to Washington, D.C., and put the city’s police department under federal control to address crime. He also named other cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, Baltimore, and Oakland as examples of places struggling with crime.
In an interview with CNN’s Kate Bolduan on Wednesday, Lucas noted that many of the cities Trump mentioned have Black mayors, including himself. He believes both race and politics are behind the president’s actions.
“I won’t say that’s the only reason, but I absolutely think it’s part of it,” Lucas said. “In politics, you often try to create a contrast. And what’s a bigger contrast than Donald Trump versus a mayor? Black women mayors, in particular, have been frequent targets.”
He pointed to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass as one example and encouraged mayors to speak up, even if their cities do have crime problems.
“This is actually one of the best fights to have, because I can admit my city has crime and homicides, but I don’t think the same kind of help he’s offering is what we need,” Lucas explained. “It’s a tough position, but it’s clear he’s more focused on using this as a political issue than on actually saving lives.”
Lucas added that his own city might not be targeted because Missouri has a Republican governor, making it less politically appealing for Trump.
“This is just a wedge issue against American cities and mayors who don’t have the same platform to fight back,” Lucas said.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who is also Black, called Trump’s National Guard move “unsettling and unprecedented,” saying the city is not experiencing a crime spike.
