COLUMBIA, Md. (WBFF) — As President Donald Trump continues to flirt with the idea of sending the National Guard to Baltimore, Gov. Wes Moore said he’s gearing up for a legal fight if it happens.

Trump on Wednesday seemed to soften his language on the idea of surging federal law enforcement in Maryland after appearing to announce his intent on Tuesday.

ALSO READ | President Trump, Gov. Moore continue war of words amid talk of National Guard deployment

“We could go into Baltimore and straighten it out very quickly, too,” Trump said in the Oval Office on Wednesday. “The people in Baltimore, the people in all the places we talk about they want to see us there. I think we are pretty much waiting until we get asked and properly because we are doing them a big service.”

That call will likely never come from Gov. Moore, who has repeatedly said he does not believe the National Guard is the appropriate tool to help curb crime in Baltimore. During a housing announcement event in Columbia on Wednesday, Gov. Moore addressed public safety before answering questions.

“For all Marylanders, I want you to know that there is nothing that I will not do to keep you safe,” he said.

Moore said he hadn’t changed his mind on the use of the guard following Trump’s comments about Baltimore possibly becoming the next place where he would send federal law enforcement.

"The National Guard is not trained for this. The National Guard is trained for things like natural disasters and emergencies and deploying overseas,” Gov. Moore said when asked if he would accept what President Trump is offering in exchange for the federal resources he wants. “I have too much respect for members of the National Guard to put them on missions that they are not trained for.”

I would hope the President is more serious of a leader to say the only way I’ll give you something that’s useful is to give you something that’s ridiculous, Gov. Moore said when pressed on the possibility that the federal resources he’s seeking – like additional ATF and FBI agents – may come with the National Guard at Trump’s direction.

Leaders from states like Maryland and Illinois have been in communication, Gov. Moore said, to coordinate responses and prepare potential litigation.

“The threats that we are seeing in the state of Maryland is not unique; it’s obvious the President has a special place in his heart for me and the state of Maryland, but we also know that we are not unique and so we are coordinating to ensure that there is a swift response,” he said.

In Washington, where the National Guard has been on the ground since Aug. 11, data shows a decline in crime. There has been a 42% reduction in violent crime and Mayor Muriel Bowser has embraced the surge in federal reinforcements. Tuesday, she signed an executive order requiring local coordination with federal law enforcement “to the maximum extent allowable” of the law.

Gov. Moore said he can’t speak for Bowser but argued he knows what the people of Baltimore want – and it’s not “performative” crime-fighting efforts.

“I have spent my time in the communities. We’re in the communities all the time,” he said. “The people are saying they want to feel safe, but the people are looking for performance, but not something that’s performative.”

FOX45 News spoke with a woman who is urging federal intervention in Baltimore, however. Stacie Arias’ brother, Michael Cudnik, was murdered in 2017 when he was 22. Arias shared her frustration about political leaders not embracing the additional law enforcement help offered by President Trump.

"Why not? Why wouldn't you want your city to be safer for your constituents, the people that you're supposed to take care of?" she said. "Why wouldn't you want the help? Why make it political? It's not political. This is about people's family members' blood spilled on the street."

In a statement to FOX45 News, White House Spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said Baltimore is the fourth-most dangerous city in the country.

“While Democrats like Governor Moore ignore this sad reality, President Trump will always advocate for the safety of the American people,” Rogers said.

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