The debate over crime in major U.S. cities intensified this week as CNN’s Abby Phillip and conservative commentator Ben Shapiro clashed over former President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy federal troops to tackle violence.
With crime surging in cities like Chicago and Washington, DC, the discussion has spotlighted how Americans feel about military involvement in local policing.
Phillip Questions Troop Deployment Strategy
On her show NewsNight Tuesday, Abby Phillip questioned whether voters actually want Trump sending federal troops into cities plagued by crime.
While she acknowledged that Americans view crime as a major concern, Phillip argued that most are hesitant about militarized interventions.
“Voters are not – I think we are treating voters stupider than they are,” Phillip said.
“You ask them in polls and they say, ‘We think crime is a problem. We don’t like the way Trump is handling it in the way that he is sending the National Guard.’
They want Trump to do more about crime. They don’t necessarily want him to send troops to cities.”
Shapiro Pushes Back With Rhetorical Angle
Ben Shapiro countered Phillip’s point by focusing on the political strategy behind Trump’s approach.
He argued that liberal politicians risk falling into a rhetorical trap if they downplay the seriousness of crime in cities like Chicago.
“President Trump has a habit of wrongfooting his political opponents in a unique way,” Shapiro explained.
“You can argue plausibly that National Guard troops shouldn’t be enforcing crime on the ground.
But if you end up saying there’s no serious crime emergency in Chicago, rhetorically Trump wins that debate every time.”
Polls Show Strong Concern About Urban Crime
The discussion comes amid recent polling showing high public concern over crime.
An AP-NORC survey found that 81 percent of Americans consider crime in large cities a “major problem.”
Meanwhile, 55 percent said they find it acceptable for the military or National Guard to assist local police in major cities.
The poll also recorded Trump’s highest approval rating to date, jumping five points from the previous month.
Chicago Faces Deadly Weekend Violence
Trump has signaled he may send troops to Chicago, telling reporters Tuesday, “We’re going in… I didn’t say when.”
The announcement has sparked strong reactions from local officials, with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker calling such a move an “invasion.”
The urgency of the situation is underscored by recent violence: over the holiday weekend, at least 54 people were shot and seven were killed in Chicago, highlighting the city’s ongoing struggle with crime.
Political Stakes Are High
As Trump’s law-and-order message resonates with voters concerned about urban crime, the debate over federal troop deployment has become both a policy and political battleground.
With the conversation intensifying in media outlets and on the streets, Americans continue to watch closely how leaders plan to address the rising tide of violence in major cities.