President Trump identified Chicago as a likely next focus for federal crackdowns on crime, homelessness, and illegal immigration, suggesting treatment similar to Washington, D.C., where 2,000 troops were deployed. The Pentagon ordered troops in Washington to carry firearms despite no clear threats. Trump characterized large, Democrat-led cities as dangerous and called Chicago a "mess," asserting residents wanted federal intervention even as violent crime has decreased. Illinois officials pushed back, with Mayor Brandon Johnson noting no formal communication and warning that unlawful deployments could inflame tensions. Legal and jurisdictional questions remain about replicating the D.C. approach in Chicago.
President Donald Trump on Friday said Chicago will likely be the next target of his efforts to crack down on crime, homelessness and illegal immigration. Trump indicated that the Midwestern city could receive similar treatment to what he's done in Washington, D.C., where he's deployed 2,000 troops on the streets. "I think Chicago will be our next," Trump told reporters at the White House, later adding, "And then we'll help with New York." The comments came as the Pentagon on Friday began ordering troops in Washington to carry firearms, though there have been no overt indications they have faced threats that would require them to carry weapons.
Trump has repeatedly described some of the nation's largest cities - run by Democrats, with Black mayors and majority-minority populations - as dangerous and filthy. He singled out Chicago on Friday, calling it a "mess" and saying residents there are "screaming for us to come" despite significant decreases in crimes of violence. Trump's suggestion that Chicago might be the next target for a crackdown on crime didn't sit well with Illinois officeholders.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said his office has not received formal communication from the Trump administration about military or federal law enforcement deployments in Chicago but said "we have grave concerns about the impact of any unlawful deployment of National Guard troops." Johnson called Trump's approach "uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound," arguing it "has the potential to inflame tensions between residents and law enforcement." It is unclear how Trump would pursue an effort in Chicago that is similar to his approach to D.C., where home rule laws give the federal government greater authority.
Collection
[
|
...
]