Interior Secretary Doug Burgum insists that President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to Democratic-led cities is not politically driven. He told CNN that the president is “not targeting anything,” contradicting critics who allege partisan motives behind the federal action.
Burgum says Trump deploying National Guard to Democratic-led cities is not political: ‘He’s not targeting anything’

Key Takeaways:
- President Trump has deployed the National Guard to certain US cities.
- Doug Burgum calls the deployment “not politically motivated.”
- Burgum asserts the president is “not targeting anything” in his approach.
- Critics claim the focus on Democratic-led cities suggests a political angle.
- Burgum made these comments during an interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins.
Introduction
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum spoke with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins to address the debate surrounding President Donald Trump’s decision to send the National Guard into several Democratic-led cities. Critics argue that the move is politically motivated, but Burgum counters this contention directly.
Background
The Trump administration’s deployment efforts have prompted questions about whether certain urban centers are being singled out for partisan reasons. These concerns stem from the fact that many of the cities in question are governed by Democratic leadership. Burgum’s remarks aim to clarify that the primary motive is to maintain public order, rather than score political points.
Burgum’s Remarks
During his interview, Burgum emphasized, “He’s not targeting anything,” indicating that the Republican president’s actions are guided by broader security considerations. “I completely concur with the president when he says if…” Burgum continued, though the remainder of his statement was not detailed in the original report.
He firmly denied the notion that deploying federal resources to these specific locations constituted a politically charged maneuver.
Reactions and Context
Burgum’s stance joins a larger conversation on how, or if, federal powers should be used to address local unrest. Supporters argue that federal aid can be crucial when local authorities struggle. Detractors, however, question whether the administration’s method unfairly selects cities where opposition to the president is strongest.
Conclusion
While the debate continues over the wisdom—and the motives—behind sending in the National Guard, Burgum’s position remains clear. The Interior Secretary believes the action is intended only to preserve safety and order, dismissing claims of a partisan agenda. As demonstrations and public commentary persist, the political impact of these deployments will likely remain under close scrutiny.