Podcast Summary: Bloomberg Talks

Episode: Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott Talks Revival Story
Date: October 7, 2025
Host: Bloomberg (Nathan Hager & Karen Moscow)
Guest: Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott

Episode Overview

This episode centers on Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott’s efforts to revitalize the city, tackle public safety, and drive economic development. Mayor Scott discusses recent crime reduction successes, his collaborative approach to government and policing, the need for federal support, and his vision for the future of Baltimore. He addresses misconceptions about the city's reputation and responds to political criticisms and suggestions regarding heightened federal intervention.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Effects of the Federal Government Shutdown on Baltimore

• Workforce Impact: Approximately 12,000 Baltimore residents work for the federal government (directly or via contracts).
  • "There's a lot of my constituents unease... they want to go to work. They want their government to be working." (Brandon Scott, 01:09)
• Community Programs: Potential shutdown effects extend beyond workers, eventually impacting community programs and services.

2. Crime and Violence Reduction in Baltimore

• Historic Decline: Mayor Scott highlights a significant drop in homicides, the lowest on record for Baltimore as of October 7, 2025.
  • "We have the fewest amount of homicides through any October 7th on record today." (Brandon Scott, 02:13)
  • Homicide rates down 30% from previous year; prior year already saw record reductions.
• Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan:
  • Targeted Intervention: Focused on individuals most likely to be involved in gun violence, offering them opportunities or taking legal action.
    • "We give them opportunities to change their life, and if not, we remove them via law enforcement." (Brandon Scott, 02:51)
  • Community Violence Intervention (CVI): Former perpetrators now work to prevent violence.
    • "They were the problem and now they're part of the solution." (Brandon Scott, 03:35)
  • Gun Trafficking: Active efforts against gun traffickers and manufacturers.
  • Victim Assistance and Youth Services: Funding is essential for these programs; recent federal cuts threaten their sustainability.

3. Relationship with State and Federal Government

• State Law Enforcement Support: Maryland State Police are once again operating in Baltimore, reversing a lapse under a previous governor.
  • "Baltimore City was the only jurisdiction in Maryland that Maryland State Police did not operate in. The governor's restarting that." (Brandon Scott, 04:10)
• Federal Troops/National Guard:
  • Mayor Scott firmly opposes deploying National Guard troops for city policing.
    • "No, we've been very clear about that." (Brandon Scott, 04:35)
    • National Guard deployment in 2015 after Freddie Gray’s death did not help; it was one of the most violent years (06:36).
• Funding Needs: Scott urges restoration of federal grants, particularly for law enforcement partnerships and community programs.
  • "This president has had the biggest reduction in funding for federal law enforcement agencies. They should be restoring [them]." (Brandon Scott, 04:58)
  • Notable cuts include a $500,000 grant lost by a key violence intervention partner.

4. Ongoing Perception Challenges and Civic Pride

• National Image: Baltimore is often featured negatively in crime rankings, but Scott insists focus should be on sustained positive change.
  • "You will be hard pressed to find a city in this country that's had a sustainable long term reduction like Baltimore's had." (Brandon Scott, 07:12)
• Lesson from Experience: Local leadership, especially mayors, must be empowered as they are closest to the community’s needs.
  • "Let the folks that are closest to the problem be out front and part of the solution... Mayors are the ones that have to solve the problems." (Brandon Scott, 07:39)

5. Reflections on Political Life & Motivation

• Public Service Motivation: Personal exposure to violence as a child shaped his commitment.
  • "I saw someone get shot at seven years old and no one cared... to have vacant housing at its lowest point in my lifetime in Baltimore, something we're proud of but we're not celebrating." (Brandon Scott, 08:28)
• Career Intentions: Scott repeatedly affirms his commitment to Baltimore, not higher office.
  • "Everyone knows I don't want to be governor... This is my dream job as a child." (Brandon Scott, 09:13)

6. Economic Development and Business Climate

• Attracting Investment: Major projects and reforms underway:
  • $4 billion recently invested, $7 billion more planned in downtown.
  • Major companies like T. Rowe Price and Under Armour building new headquarters.
  • Changes to permitting & zoning to boost business, particularly in tech and life sciences sectors.
    • "We are open for business in the city of Baltimore. Reforming our permit process and reforming our zoning code." (Brandon Scott, 09:45)
• Economic Outlook: The city is preparing for potential recession by budgeting cautiously.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On former perpetrators now helping prevent violence:
  "They were the problem and now they're part of the solution. And what better way to do that?"
  — Brandon Scott (03:35)

• On National Guard deployment not helping before:
  "We had the National Guard in Baltimore in 2015 following the unrest of Freddie Gray. It's one of the most violent years ever. It didn't help. Right."
  — Brandon Scott (06:36)

• On being a mayor as his ‘dream job’:
  "This is my dream job as a child. I will hold it as long as the residents of Baltimore will allow me to do so and as long as I'm living within term limits."
  — Brandon Scott (09:13)

• On political effectiveness:
  "Mayors are the ones that have to solve the problems. The mayors are the ones that have to meet the people in the grocery store… We know how to drive down crime."
  — Brandon Scott (07:39)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Federal shutdown and its impacts on Baltimore – 01:09
• Crime ranking and Scott’s violence reduction strategy – 02:08 – 03:58
• State/federal police support and National Guard debate – 04:07 – 06:36
• Addressing negative national perception of Baltimore – 06:15 – 07:18
• Political philosophy and mayoral commitment – 07:27 – 09:13
• Economic development and business climate – 09:33 – 10:36

Conclusion

The conversation with Mayor Brandon Scott paints a picture of a city in transition—one that is battling to overcome a troubled reputation through data-driven violence reduction, community engagement, targeted investment, and a refusal to rely on federal troops for policing. Scott’s personal investment in the city and his insistence on local solutions underscore a broader message about the importance of empowering municipal leaders to drive real change.