By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Donald Trump’s claims of rampant crime in Washington D.C., used to justify deploying National Guard troops, are contradicted by dropping crime rates and a focus on “show” rather than actual need. While urban areas experience higher crime rates, rural areas face distinct issues, particularly higher firearm-related deaths, and significantly lower reporting of crimes such as sexual assault. The author suggests the issue of crime is being used for political grandstanding and notes a waste of taxpayer money in the process. Ultimately, the article highlights the underreporting of crime in rural communities and calls attention to the true emergencies facing the country, such as guns and homelessness.
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Hey Mr. President: What about rural crime in red states?
It’s a curious thing, isn’t it? The focus lately seems to be on crime in certain areas, but what about the places where a lot of these issues are actually brewing? It’s hard to ignore the fact that many of the states sending troops to certain cities also have significant crime problems of their own. You’ve got cities topping the charts for violent crime, and the responses from some circles seem… less than concerned. There’s a sense that the truth, the reality of the situation on the ground, is simply not being acknowledged.
The narrative seems to be one thing, but the actual facts on the ground tell a different story. The rhetoric often focuses on one type of area, while ignoring problems elsewhere. It’s easy to see how this can be perceived as politically motivated, a way to manipulate the situation for specific gains. It’s all about perception. It’s about crafting an image that supports a particular agenda.
This strategy seems to have multiple layers. It minimizes the impact of potential setbacks in elections. It creates an impression that certain areas are safer and more functional, and that’s the direction society should head. And, of course, it appeals to a particular base, shoring up support where it’s most needed. The optics are important here, and the aim seems to be to portray certain areas as crime-ridden wastelands. But the facts do not support this.
There’s a real disconnect, though. If the aim is truly to address crime, why the silence when it comes to areas where these problems are very real? If the end game is to use troops to stop the election in blue states, the mission is clear. But it is not the mission most American’s believe in. It’s a strategic move, a power grab, rather than an honest effort to solve the underlying issues. The situation in many of these communities is often related to factors like poverty, lack of opportunity, and, yes, a high concentration of firearms.
Let’s be honest. This isn’t about stopping crime. It’s about a very specific kind of narrative, one that instills fear and distracts from other things. And when the focus is consistently on one area, while ignoring the problems in the places that are supposedly “safe” and “red,” it’s clear this is about something else entirely.
The political nature of this issue is undeniable. It appears that loyalty is rewarded, while any criticism is met with potential consequences. This is a well-known tactic that follows a specific, dangerous playbook. The whole “tough on crime” act falls flat when it’s convenient to ignore the places where crime is actually a major problem.
The goal isn’t just about being in power. It’s about changing the fundamental nature of the country and how it’s run. We have been warned about the future for a while. There is a very real fear that, if successful, that they will be able to silence the “blue” states and strip away the rights and freedoms of their citizens.
Some of the crime may be about meth and related issues. Per capita, rural areas can have much higher rates of violence. It’s all about creating a specific image for the sake of political gain, while the actual realities on the ground are ignored. If the ultimate objective is to establish control and undermine the democratic process, then the focus on this type of crime makes a perverted sort of sense.