In a stunning development, President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a military deployment to Chicago, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from both Governor JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson. According to the Washington Post, Pentagon officials have been actively planning a significant troop presence in the city, potentially involving thousands of National Guard troops as early as September.
This military action comes on the heels of Trump's comments on Friday, where he suggested that Chicago might be the next city to experience a military presence. Earlier this month, he had deployed 2,000 armed National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., claiming it would help reduce crime and homelessness, despite the city currently experiencing a 30-year low in crime rates.
“I think Chicago will be our next, and then we’ll help with New York,” Trump stated in the Oval Office, labeling Chicago as “a mess” and criticizing Mayor Johnson as “grossly incompetent.”
In response to Trump's plans, Governor Pritzker issued a statement on Saturday, stressing that the state has not requested federal assistance and that there is no emergency justifying the proposed deployment. “There is no emergency that warrants the President of the United States federalizing the Illinois National Guard,” Pritzker emphasized.
He added, “Donald Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform, and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain he is causing working families.”
Similarly, Mayor Johnson took to social media on Sunday, labeling Trump’s proposal as “the most flagrant violation of our Constitution in the 21st Century.” He asserted that Chicago does not need a military occupation and is currently evaluating legal options to protect the city against what he termed unconstitutional federal overreach. “We are Chicago. We will not bend or cower, and we will never break,” Johnson declared.
In support of his position, Mayor Johnson cited statistics showing a substantial decrease in crime in 2025, including a 30% reduction in homicides, a 35% drop in robberies, and nearly a 40% decline in shootings. This data contradicts the narrative that Chicago is in dire need of military intervention.
This situation is not unprecedented; Trump has previously hinted at deploying the National Guard to major cities like Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, even as these cities report significant declines in violent crime rates. Notably, the Washington Post pointed out that because Washington, D.C. is not a state, the federal government can exercise greater authority over its policing and other municipal affairs.
However, the legality of deploying military troops to states remains contentious. A current court case is challenging the Trump administration’s earlier decision to send thousands of National Guard troops to Los Angeles during protests related to immigration raids. Although this deployment was initially ruled illegal, it was later permitted by an appeals court.
Bringing troops to Chicago has been characterized by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul as part of Trump’s broader strategy to “move our nation toward authoritarianism.” Raoul remarked, “His actions are not just un-American. They are unwise strategically. Our cities are not made safer by deploying the nation’s service members for civilian law enforcement duties when they do not have the appropriate training.”
As this situation unfolds, the implications of a military deployment in Chicago raise critical questions about governance, public safety, and the role of federal authority in state matters.
