Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is urging citizens to "stand up" against President Donald Trump's impending federally led immigration crackdown in Chicago. This initiative, which is expected to commence soon, has ignited significant backlash from local leaders and the public alike. Pritzker's remarks come in response to the White House's announcement that Chicago will be the next target in its sweeping immigration enforcement efforts across the nation.
Recently, White House officials requested assistance from a U.S. military base located on the outskirts of Chicago to support immigration operations. This move is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to assert control over Democratic-run "sanctuary cities." In a CBS interview, Pritzker expressed his concerns, stating, "Any kind of troops on the streets of an American city don’t belong unless there is an insurrection or an emergency. There is not ... I’m going to do everything I can to stop him from taking away people’s rights and from using the military to invade states. It’s very important for us all to stand up.”
In a social media post on Truth Social, Trump criticized Pritzker, labeling him as "the weak and pathetic Governor of Illinois," and demanded that he address crime issues in the city swiftly. Pritzker, however, noted that his administration has not received any communication from the Trump administration regarding these operations, indicating a lack of coordination between federal and local authorities.
During his CBS interview, Pritzker emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “If they actually send in U.S. troops, it would amount to an invasion. They should be coordinating with local law enforcement, informing us when and where they’re coming, and whether it’s ICE, ATF, or another agency. But they’re not doing that. It stirs up tension on the ground when we’re left in the dark.”
Pritzker also addressed accusations from Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, who claimed that Illinois "refuses to have our back." The governor refuted this assertion, stating, “There were police officers who made sure that there was nobody interfering or attacking or causing problems for the ICE officials that were here … People have a right to their First Amendment, and we protect that too in the city of Chicago.” He underscored the city's commitment to combating violent crime while expressing concerns about the disruptive nature of federal actions without local cooperation.
Pritzker accused Trump of having ulterior motives beyond just addressing crime. He highlighted how Democratic cities like Washington D.C. and Los Angeles have also been targeted by Trump's immigration policies. “The other aims are that he’d like to stop the elections in 2026 or take control of those elections,” Pritzker explained. He warned that Trump might use the presence of troops to exert control during critical electoral processes.
As anticipation grows for the federal crackdown, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order aimed at countering the White House's "out of control" plan to deploy federal troops in the city. This order prohibits Chicago police from assisting federal authorities with civil immigration enforcement, traffic stops, or checkpoints during the anticipated crackdown. Mayor Johnson also instructed all city departments to uphold the constitutional rights of residents amidst the potential military presence.
With tensions escalating and a significant federal crackdown on the horizon, the situation in Chicago remains fluid, raising questions about the implications for local governance and community safety.
