Bring the National Guard to Cleveland

OPINION:

More than 80% of Americans say crime is a “major problem.” In Cleveland, the numbers are sobering. According to federal data, the city recorded 6,100 violent crimes in 2023, reflecting a violent crime rate of about 1,703 incidents per 100,000 residents. During the first half of this year, 46 homicides were recorded. That’s more than seven homicides every single month. This isn’t just rhetoric; it’s a reality for the people I represent, and it’s unacceptable.

My constituents in the suburbs are afraid to go into the city. The Cleveland I grew up in is now unrecognizable. Families no longer feel safe walking down the street, and small businesses are being boarded up. Last year, an officer was killed in the line of duty by someone with a criminal history. Just this month, five people were shot after the Browns game in the Flats.

As elected officials, we have a responsibility to protect our communities when local resources are overwhelmed or when local officials refuse to use them. The District of Columbia faced a similar crisis, with crime rates spiraling out of control. By bringing in the National Guard, President Trump helped stabilize the situation. He provided a visible presence, deterring criminal activity and supporting local law enforcement.

We can do the same in Cleveland.

This is not about militarizing our neighborhoods; it’s about restoring order and safety. The proof is in the pudding. During the crackdown on violent crime in the District, more than 2,000 arrests have been made. Although this may seem like only a small portion of the population, the city is noticeably safer, especially since crime has historically peaked during the summer.

In Cleveland, staffing remains challenging, with 87 officers leaving the police force from January through September last year. The National Guard would bring support to secure high-crime areas, protect critical infrastructure and give our officers the helping hand they deserve.

Some will argue that bringing in the National Guard is an extreme measure. I would argue that allowing lawlessness to continue unchecked is far more extreme. The safety of our citizens is not negotiable. If parents are afraid to let their children play outside, if shop owners fear opening their doors, if commuters dread walking to their cars at night, then we have already failed them. It’s time for action.

Now that the situation in the District has stabilized, I’m calling on Gov. Mike DeWine to authorize the deployment of the Ohio National Guard to Cleveland. This is a temporary measure, but a necessary one. Allowing the situation to worsen is a dereliction of our responsibility as lawmakers to protect the law-abiding public. We cannot allow violent repeat offenders, kept on the streets because city officials refuse to incarcerate them, to claim more innocent lives, such as that of Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte, North Carolina, last month.

The people of Cleveland deserve to feel safe again. They deserve to live without fear. The people I represent should be able to go to a Guardians, Browns or Cavs game without fearing for their lives. There is no higher duty of government than this.

The preamble of our Constitution reads: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.” As their representative, I will do everything in my power to make sure the people I represent can enjoy the liberty that so many have fought and died for, even if it means calling in the Guard.

• Rep. Max Miller represents Ohio’s 7th Congressional District. He serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and the Science, Space and Technology Committee. Before joining Congress, Mr. Miller spent six years in the Marine Corps Reserves and served in several senior positions for President Trump.