‘Stay Tuned’: Trump Hints at Sending National Guard to Chicago
Trump Extends Crackdown Beyond Washington
U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled that Chicago may be the next target of his federal crime crackdown. Earlier this month, he invoked the Home Rule Act in Washington, D.C., bringing the city’s police under federal control and sending in the National Guard. He now suggests that Chicago could face a similar intervention, saying the people are “desperate” for action against rising violence.
Truth Social Post Targets Illinois Leadership
Trump took to Truth Social to criticize Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker after a weekend of deadly shootings. He wrote that six murders and 20 shootings took place in Chicago, yet the governor refused to seek federal help. He insisted that Democrats cannot control crime and urged citizens to “stay tuned” for his next move.
Previous Warnings Against Chicago Mayor
This is not the first time Trump has aimed his criticism at Chicago. Last week, he described the city as “a mess” and called Mayor Brandon Johnson “grossly incompetent.” He declared that straightening out the city would not be difficult and hinted that Chicago would be his next target after Washington.
Plans for National Guard Deployment
Reports suggest that the President is considering mobilizing several thousand members of the National Guard in Chicago as early as September. He also mentioned possible support from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to address issues linked to illegal immigration and homelessness. His wider strategy involves tough action on crime in America’s largest cities.
State and City Leaders Push Back
Illinois leaders have strongly opposed Trump’s threat. Governor Pritzker has argued that the President has no legal authority to impose federal control in Chicago. Mayor Johnson has been working closely with him to prepare for any federal intervention. State Attorney General Kwame Raoul has also announced that he is forming a legal strategy to respond if troops enter the city.
Chicago Police Stand Their Ground
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling clarified the department’s stance. He said officers would not cooperate with federal law enforcement, but they would not interfere either. He stressed that working with ICE would harm trust with immigrant communities and reaffirmed that the city’s police would not ask residents about their immigration status.
City Prepares for Confrontation
Despite uncertainty, Chicago has started preparing for the possibility of federal deployment. Pritzker and Johnson’s offices are in close coordination, and local officials are bracing for legal and political confrontation. As Trump continues to raise the stakes, the nation watches whether his promise to “straighten out” Chicago will turn into federal action or remain a political flashpoint.
