President Donald Trump has suggested deploying U.S. military troops to cities with high crime rates. Supporters argue it's a strong stance against lawlessness, while critics fear government overreach and a dangerous precedent for domestic militarization. The proposal reopens deep national debates over authority, justice, and the role of civil government.
Trump has already deployed National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., this month in an effort to reduce crime. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the authorization of approximately 2,000 National Guard troops to the area, who will be carrying weapons. This is a change, as previously, these guard members had been unarmed, their role being to support local law enforcement.
While Trump has proposed this move as a concerted effort to reduce crime and homelessness in the capital, at the time of the deployment, violent crime had dropped roughly 27% year over year. Trump has proposed sending military into other cities such as Baltimore, which he describes as “crime-ridden.” Deploying the Guard to cities is not common practice and is usually reserved as a last resort when cities face a natural disaster or civil unrest.
How should Christians respond when earthly authority flexes its power—especially in ways that blur the line between justice and control?
Proverbs 29:2 teaches, “When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.”
We are living in a time in which there is a shortage of righteous leaders particularly in the politcal arena and the results are pushed boundaries, extreme political divisions, and a general sense of anxiety. As believers we need to faithful pray for God to raise up righteous leaders that can help bring more unity in our country, that will avoid extremes on both ends of the poltical spectrum, and allow us to live in peace.
Over past decade there has been so much groaning in our country as we’ve seen the political left and the right grow more and more extreme in their rhetoric. As we’ve watched social media give louder voices to more fringe ideas. AI makes the truth in reporting increasingly harder to verify. Without people of character in leadership these forces of chaos grow increasingly damaging to the integrity of our nation.
We must champion virtue, character, boundaries, and the fruits of the spirit in our homes, churches, schools, communities, and in our political leaders. The most aggressive voice is not the most godly one. As voters, citizens, Christians, parents, co-workers, content creators, and more, we must let the Bible be the foundation of all we do. When the leaders put in place fail to submit to the standard of the Bible, we continue to voice our concern. Our allegiance as Christ-followers is first unto the Lord, not to a particular political institution.
Our Aim Is Peaceful Living
1 Timothy 2:1-2 urges, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”
There is an urgent need for prayer for the leaders in our country and for leaders across the globe.
Peaceful living is not agreeing as a country to allow our President to turn our nation into a military state. Many across the globe are living in this reality with military checkpoints across their countries, troops patrolling their streets, and military vehicles on their roads. As Americans, we should be endlessly thankful that this has not been our reality. We don’t have to worry about armed troops confronting us during our daily commute, our kids feeling the terror that accompanies being stopped by an armed soldier at a checkpoint, or the potential abuses of power that these practices often lead to.
The current administration's claim that a military presence is necessary in American cities that are not experiencing a natural disaster is concerning. It’s a grab at power that is not meant for our nation's leader to wield. It’s a precedent we don’t want other Presidents to build on. Consider how you might feel if a President that you did not support began to send tanks out into your city streets? Would you not be deeply concerned?
Ask for Wisdom on How to Voice our Concerns
We must ask for godly wisdom on how to voice our concerns as a people when we see leaders blur the lines between justice and control. James 3:17 says, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” As we speak up, we do so in a way that promotes peace, that is gentle, we must have open ears to listen to those who may disagree with us, we must show mercy, and offer our sincere concern.
As we seek out ways to speak up, we must remain committed to doing so with the fruits of the Spirit as our guide. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Even as we share our anxieties, these qualities must still shine through us. When we choose to share our views online, we have to be controlled and gentle. As we write to our leaders, we must display kindness. If we protest, we must be committed to peace for our communities, respecting property and the views of others. Nonetheless, we are fortunate to live in a country in which we can speak up.
Trust in the Lord
Psalm 20:7 states, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”
It’s so easy to get overwhelmed when we see our leaders make concerning decisions, but the best thing we can do in those moments is to ground ourselves in God’s Word. Ultimately we trust in God. We respect our leaders and we trust in the Lord alone. Even as our Earth continues to struggle and groan through these last days we know that the best is yet to come.
We should not give in to despair, as we know that God desires for us to experience his goodness here in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13). God’s goodness is not dependent on the choices of powerful people. His goodness exists in our everyday lives, from the sweet smell of coffee to sip on in the morning, to the hugs our kids freely offer us at the end of the day. I encourage you to remain encouraged that God is our refuge and has a plan for our future.
Psalm 2:10-11 says, “Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling.”
God is on alert when it comes to the actions of those who are in leadership. They are invited to serve God and fear him. At the end of time, his justice reigns! Let’s pray asking for God’s justice to rule. For His Kingdom come and His will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Chris Henry
