Violence raged again over the weekend in major American cities. Among the numbers: 18 people were shot in Cincinnati, 4 killed; 50 shot in New York, 7 killed; 30 were shot in Chicago, 3 killed.

From May to June, homicides in 20 major U.S. cities increased by 37%, led by Chicago, Philadelphia and Milwaukee, according to new data from the nonpartisan Council on Criminal Justice think tank.

People — including innocent adults and children — are suffering and dying at the hands of criminals and anarchists, among others.

President Trump, who has sent federal agents to various cities and who has threatened to send them to more, on Monday suggested that New York may be getting federal help — wanted or not — if its mayor does not work to bring violence under control.

One of the worst aspects of the response to the carnage is the excuses being made. The violence has been tied to pandemic-related shutdowns, higher unemployment because of the pandemic, Black Lives Matter protests and even summer. None of these are acceptable reasons for more shootings. Human beings have the power to make choices. People know what is right and what is wrong. Cabin fever, poverty, anger or heat do not mean you get to go on a shooting spree.

Cities need to get their acts together. They need to stop disparaging police and start backing them. They need to crack down on criminals. Trump should continue to threaten intervention, and take action when it is clear that big-city mayors are failing their citizens.