Trump shocks with threat he could take over sanctuary cities and arrest unruly mayors under martial law
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Donald Trump suggested he could impose martial law to take control of sanctuary cities that refuse to comply with federal immigration laws.
The president’s post to Truth Social Wednesday morning also implied that he could take action to arrest ‘insurrectionist’ mayors in those cities that uphold policies making it harder for federal immigration enforcement agents to do their jobs.
The wild suggestion came in the form of a meme that Trump reposted to his social media account.
A pro-MAGA account posted a black and white image of Abraham Lincoln surrounded by words meant to come from the perspective of the 16th U.S. president.
”Sanctuary City’ mayors are defying federal law,’ it reads. ‘They are insurrectionists just like the southern governors during the Civil War.’
‘President Trump should declare martial law in those cities, arrest the mayors, appoint military governors, and restore the rule of law, just like I did,’ the Lincoln-voiced meme reads.
The post came as a response to Trump’s lengthy Truth Social post made on Tuesday night demanding that the Senate confirm his ‘highly qualified judges and U.S. attorneys.’
Trump claimed that the states where his appointments are still outstanding are the ones that have the most crime and need the most help.
President Donald Trump suggested on his social media that he could impose martial law and arrest mayors who rebuke federal immigration enforcement operations
Trump reposted a photo from a user who said the president should follow the lead of 16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, who imposed martial law during the Civil War to suppress rebellion
‘I would never be able to appoint Great Judges or U.S. Attorneys in California, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Virginia, and other places, where there is, coincidentally, the highest level of crime and corruption — The places where fantastic people are most needed!’ Trump lamented of Democrat blockades.
Martial law is invoked by governments during times of extreme crisis, like war, rebellion or major disasters. It usually involves the military helping take control of civilian affairs, and limits normal legal process and other civil liberties.
In the U.S., martial law was imposed in certain areas of the country during the Civil War by President Lincoln to suppress rebellion. It was also used in Hawaii during World War II after Pearl Harbor attacks.
Many Republicans feel that the mass amounts of illegal immigration and years of open-border policies under former President Joe Biden constitutes a crisis that would justify use of such extreme processes.
Trump has recently upped his war with sanctuary cities and states and their leadership.
Federal immigration agents under the Department of Homeland Security have been tasked with conducting raids in cities and states that rebuke federal laws.
Earlier this year in Los Angeles, California, violent riots broke out between pro-immigration demonstrators and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Rioters set fires, looted stores and physically assaulted agents and officers.
Other areas this year where ICE raids have been carried out – sometimes without cooperation from local authorities – were in New York City and Colorado.
Trump’s supporters have said the illegal immigration crisis could warrant taking action like imposing martial law to take over sanctuary cities. Pictured: Anti-ICE protesters waves Mexican flags as they set fires and riot in Los Angeles, California on June 7, 2025
Trump reposted on Wednesday, July 29 an image claiming the president should impose martial law, arrest mayors and appoint military governors
