Alexandar Sullivan:
President Donald Trump’s proposal to send National Guard troops into Chicago has provoked fierce criticism from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who labeled the move an “abuse of power” and claimed the president is “attempting to manufacture a crisis.” The governor emphasized that no emergency exists to justify military intervention in Illinois.
Trump has already deployed 2,000 National Guard personnel to Washington, DC, where troops—now ordered to carry weapons—are patrolling the streets amid claims of rising crime. Despite Pentagon assurances last week that the troops would remain unarmed, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reversed the policy, citing security concerns.
In Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson said his administration had received no notification about possible troop deployment. He warned that such action, which he described as “uncalled for, uncoordinated, and unsound,” could erode community trust and reverse recent gains in public safety. “An unlawful deployment,” he said, “could inflame tensions between residents and law enforcement.”
Trump has floated the idea of declaring a national emergency if opposition grows or if the current 30-day window for troop deployments expires. “If I have a national emergency, I can keep the troops here as long as I want,” he told reporters Friday.
Polls show the deployment is deeply unpopular in cities like Washington, where nearly 80% of residents oppose the military presence. Despite this, Trump is reportedly planning to expand deployments to 19 states, with a focus on bolstering Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations and sending a message to “Democrat-run cities.”
Local leaders warn the strategy could escalate unrest and politicize public safety. “We don’t need militarized policing,” one Chicago official said, “we need investment and trust.”
Trump has also requested $2 billion from Congress to “beautify” Washington, following earlier budget cuts.
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