As President Donald Trump considers extending the use of the National Guard to other major cities, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu have firmly rejected the proposal, denouncing it as an unnecessary measure that disrespects states’ prerogatives.
When questioned on Monday, Maura Healey accused the White House of prioritizing political showmanship over public safety. “This is political theater that does nothing to improve public safety,” stated the governor, pointing out that the administration has cut several essential local budget lines. “If Donald Trump truly cared about public safety, he wouldn’t be cutting funding to local law enforcement — which he did —, he wouldn’t be cutting funding to community policing — which he did —, he wouldn’t be cutting funding to victim services — which he did. And by the way, he cut National Guard funding by 40 percent.”
Regarding the possibility of seeing military personnel patrolling Massachusetts streets, Healey both reassured and warned: “We are prepared,” she declared, while adding: “I don’t want this to happen. It would be terribly disrespectful to the states, terribly disrespectful to Guard members.”…