Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has slammed President Donald Trump’s proposal to send troops to Chicago, calling it an “abuse of power.” The governor argued that there is no emergency in the city that justifies deploying the National Guard, accusing Trump of trying to create a crisis.
Trump has already sent about 2,000 troops to Washington DC, a city run by Democrats, as part of his crackdown on crime. He now plans to expand this to Chicago and New York, both major Democrat-controlled cities. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said he has not been informed about the deployment of National Guard troops, adding that it could harm the city’s efforts to reduce crime and worsen tensions between residents and law enforcement, reports agencies.
Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has decided to arm National Guard troops patrolling Washington DC, despite earlier assurances that they would not carry weapons. The Pentagon confirmed the decision, but it remains unclear whether this will change the mission’s objectives in the capital.
The deployment in Washington DC has faced criticism from local residents, with polls showing that many are unhappy with the presence of federal troops. The troops, so far, have not been involved in law enforcement but have been stationed near landmarks like the National Mall.
Trump has called the Washington mission a success, stating that the city is now safe, and said he may expand it to Chicago. Additionally, he suggested declaring a national emergency after the 30-day deployment deadline, which would allow him to keep the troops in place for as long as needed. Several Republican states have also sent troops to assist with law enforcement efforts.
Despite the push for military intervention, some local leaders in Washington, including Mayor Muriel Bowser, have argued that crime has decreased significantly in the city.