African American Mayors Association Responds to Trump Administration’s Deployment of the National Guard in Washington D.C.
Published on August 13, 2025
(Washington, DC) – In response to the Trump administration’s announcement that they are deploying the National Guard into Washington, D.C., the African American Mayors Association (AAMA) issued the following statement responding to the decision:
“As President of the African American Mayors Association and Mayor of Savannah, I recognize and respect the federal government’s responsibility to ensure national security and public safety,” said Savannah Mayor Van R. Johnson II, President of AAMA. “At the same time, we believe that deploying the National Guard to Washington, D.C. in this context may not be the most productive approach, especially when local leaders and law enforcement are already making significant strides in reducing crime and improving community trust.”
“Across the country, major cities—including D.C.—have seen meaningful progress in public safety thanks to strong collaboration between mayors, police departments, and community members. While challenges remain, the portrayal of widespread unrest does not align with the reality on the ground and risks distracting from the real work being done to keep our neighborhoods safe.”
“We encourage the administration to work closely with local leaders and support solutions that strengthen law enforcement partnerships and community engagement. Mayors across the country are committed to building safer cities—and we welcome the opportunity to partner with Washington on policies that support those goals.”
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The African American Mayors Association (AAMA) is the only organization dedicated to representing over 500 African American mayors across the United States. AAMA seeks to empower local leaders for the benefit of their citizens. The role of the AAMA includes taking positions on public policies that impact the vitality and sustainability of cities; providing mayors with leadership and management tools; and creating a forum for member mayors to share best practices related to municipal management.