Introduction to the Conflict
CHICAGO (WGN) — Mayor Brandon Johnson took a strong stance against any proposed military occupation of Chicago on Sunday after President Donald Trump hinted at sending the National Guard to the Windy City as part of a crackdown on crime across the country.
Johnson says he, Gov. JB Pritzker and the Cook County Board President are all in alignment, saying no one is asking for a military operation to be conducted in Chicago.
Background on the Proposal
During an Oval Office press conference on Friday, Trump spoke about his recent attempt to crack down on crime in Washington DC by deploying National Guard troops to the nation’s capital. He eventually signaled his willingness to deploy troops to Chicago next.
Illinois leaders push back as President Trump hints at sending National Guard to Chicago for crime crackdown
Trump’s Statement
“The National Guard has done such an incredible job working with the police, and we haven’t had to bring in the regular military, which we’re willing to do if we have to and after we do this, we’ll go to another location, we’re going to make our country very safe, make our cities very, very safe,” Trump said. “I think Chicago will be our next. And then we’ll help with New York.”
Mayor Johnson’s Response
Johnson says legal operations are currently being evaluated to protect Chicagoans from what he says is overreach by the federal government.
“First, we should establish this is not the role of the military. The brave men and women who signed up to serve the country didn’t sign up to occupy American cities,” Johnson said.
Planning and Potential Deployment
A report from the Washington Post says the Pentagon has been planning a military deployment to Chicago for weeks, and thousands of National Guard members could be in the city as soon as September.
Trump’s takeover of Washington law enforcement begins as National Guard troops arrive
Trump’s View of Chicago
“Chicago is a mess, you have an incompetent mayor, grossly incompetent and we will straighten that one out next. That will be our next one after this, and it won’t even be tough. And the people in Chicago, Mr. Vice President, are screaming for us to come. They are wearing Red hats, just like this one, but they are wearing red hats,” Trump said. “African American ladies, beautiful ladies, are saying, ‘Please, Mr. Trump, come to Chicago, please.’”
Response from Illinois Leaders
Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton fired back at Trump in a social media post, saying, “If Trump wants to take his ego trip on tour, he picked the wrong city. Chicago doesn’t bow down to kings or roll out the red carpet for dictators. As a Black woman from the South Side, I can assure you, your political circus isn’t welcome here.”
Meanwhile, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, in a post on X entitled “Things People are Begging For,” included cheaper groceries, no cuts to Medicaid or food aid for low-income families, and the release of federally held files on Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex trafficker and former Trump friend.
National Guard troops on DC streets for Trump’s crackdown will start carrying guns
Contrasting Views on Chicago’s Crime Rate
What they are not begging for, Pritzker continued, is “an authoritarian power grab of major cities.”
Despite claims of outrageous crime, Chicago saw a significant decline in violent crime during the first half of the year.
“We have seen over a 32% decrease in homicides, shootings are down almost 40%, shooting victims are down almost 40%, robberies are down, vehicle car hijackings are down,” Johnson said. “We’re moving in the right direction for a safe and affordable big city.”
Proposed Solutions
He says if Trump really wants to help Chicago, his agenda should be restoring funding for things like Medicaid, SNAP benefits, housing and education, adding he’ll do everything in his power to fight what he calls a threat to democracy.
“That’s not Chicago, that’s not America. We won’t bend, we won’t cower, we won’t break under this authoritarian rule,” Johnson said. "This is costly, illegal and unconstitutional. I’ll use every tool to keep the city safe."
Conclusion
The potential deployment of the National Guard to Chicago has sparked a significant controversy, with Mayor Brandon Johnson and other Illinois leaders strongly opposing the move. They argue that it is not the role of the military to occupy American cities and that such an action would be a threat to democracy. The situation remains tense, with both sides presenting contrasting views on the issue.
FAQs
Q: What is the reason behind President Trump’s proposal to send the National Guard to Chicago?
A: President Trump has proposed sending the National Guard to Chicago as part of a crackdown on crime across the country, citing the city’s high crime rate.
Q: What is Mayor Brandon Johnson’s stance on the proposal?
A: Mayor Brandon Johnson is strongly opposed to the proposal, stating that it is not the role of the military to occupy American cities and that such an action would be a threat to democracy.
Q: What are the statistics on Chicago’s crime rate?
A: Despite claims of outrageous crime, Chicago saw a significant decline in violent crime during the first half of the year, with a 32% decrease in homicides and a 40% decrease in shootings and shooting victims.
Q: What do Illinois leaders propose as an alternative solution to address Chicago’s crime rate?
A: Illinois leaders propose restoring funding for things like Medicaid, SNAP benefits, housing, and education as a way to address Chicago’s crime rate and improve the city’s safety.
