In a recent interview on Fox and Friends, President Donald Trump announced that he is no longer sending the National Guard to Chicago. Instead, he indicated that the troops will be deployed to Memphis, Tennessee. This decision comes amidst a backdrop of mixed signals from the White House regarding the potential deployment of troops to Chicago, especially as immigration enforcement activities have increased under the initiative known as Operation Midway Blitz.
During the interview, President Trump hinted that he might have already been reconsidering his plans to send the National Guard to Chicago. He stated, “I’ll be the first to say it now, we’re going to Memphis,” emphasizing his preference for a deployment in Chicago. However, he noted that he received advice from an unnamed individual, who he claimed is the president of Union Pacific railroad, suggesting that Memphis was the better choice for troop deployment.
The unnamed executive allegedly shared alarming insights about Memphis, stating that during his visit, he was unable to walk a single block and had to rely on armored vehicles due to safety concerns. The CEO of Union Pacific is currently Jim Vena, following the resignation of former president Beth Whited in July, and the company has not appointed a new president as of yet. While Trump indicated a preference for Chicago, he also relayed the executive’s warning, “Don’t lose Chicago,” expressing concern over the city’s future.
In his remarks, President Trump did not clarify what he or the unnamed executive meant by “losing” Chicago. He continued to criticize Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, asserting that crime in Chicago is "out of control" and referencing the alarming rise in shooting incidents. Governor Pritzker has been vocally opposed to the idea of deploying the National Guard to Chicago, warning Trump, “Do not come to Chicago. You are neither wanted here, nor needed here.”
This past weekend, Pritzker responded to Trump’s social media post regarding the potential for a National Guard deployment, stating, “The President of the United States is threatening to go to war with an American city. This is not a joke. This is not normal. Donald Trump isn't a strongman, he's a scared man. Illinois won't be intimidated by a wannabe dictator.”
Following Trump’s announcement regarding Memphis, Governor Pritzker expressed his discontent on Twitter, stating, “It’s disturbing that the President is hellbent on sending troops onto America's streets. Using those who serve in uniform as political props is insulting. None of this is normal.”
During the Fox interview, Trump claimed the deployment of the National Guard to Memphis has the backing of both Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, a Republican, and Memphis Mayor Paul Young, a Democrat. Mayor Young issued a statement on Thursday emphasizing his commitment to ensuring that any federal efforts would strengthen the community and build on existing progress. He stated, “What we need most are financial resources for intervention and prevention, additional patrol officers, and case support to strengthen MPD's investigations.”
As the situation continues to develop, CBS News Chicago has reached out to the White House for further comments and is awaiting a response. The implications of these military deployments in urban areas remain a topic of significant discussion and concern among residents and officials alike.
