The Governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker, has labeled President Trump an “aspiring dictator” amidst a heated address concerning the White House’s intention to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago.
“This is precisely the sort of overreach our nation’s founders cautioned against,” Pritzker remarked while speaking in the heart of the Windy City on Monday.
“What Trump is proposing is unprecedented and unjust. It’s illegal. It’s illegal. It’s illegal. It’s illegal. This isn’t American,” he added emphatically.
Pritzker’s remarks follow a revelation by The Washington Post that the administration is preparing to send thousands of National Guard members to Chicago in September.
According to reports, this initiative has been in the works for several months, recalling earlier troop deployments in cities like Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. this summer.
The White House has yet to confirm these plans, but when asked by a reporter during an earlier Oval Office briefing, Trump was noncommittal about the potential deployment.
Pritzker described Trump as a “ruffy little guy,” framing the National Guard deployment as more of a political maneuver.
“This is not about tackling crime. It’s about Donald Trump seeking justification to send his forces into a predominantly Democratic city, attempting to intimidate his political opponents,” Pritzker declared, accusing Trump of “trying to militarize the city and disrupt the electoral process.”
Highlighting the fact that crime rates have seen a significant drop in Chicago, Pritzker pointed out a 30% reduction in homicides compared to the previous year. He contrasted this with what he termed worse crime statistics in Republican-led areas across the country.
“We’re not asking for federal intervention. Not at all. We learned what Trump was planning just like everyone else—through the Washington Post,” Pritzker concluded.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
