A notable Democratic figure from Chicago’s south side believes President Trump should call in the National Guard. He suggests that while “probably half” of his peers might agree, there’s a hesitance to voice it openly.
Raymond Lopez, representing the 15th District, expressed frustration over not utilizing available federal assistance to combat crime, calling it foolish to overlook the opportunity for support.
“We’re in a real fight here, and we need all the resources we can gather,” Lopez stated to the Post.
He remarked that collaborating with a Republican president, if it means ensuring safety for Chicago residents, is a necessity. “Politics shouldn’t interfere with people’s safety,” he emphasized.
Lopez has been involved in city politics for a decade, serving various communities on the south side. He mentioned the fear that sometimes grips parents when they walk with their kids.
Recent incidents have been troubling. “We’ve had traffickers from Tren de Aragua selling women online. Just a few weeks ago, a Venezuelan immigrant shot at a teenager on his way home from school,” Lopez detailed, reflecting on the increasing violence in his area.
There’s also the issue of gang conflicts, which have taken on a new dimension with the influx of immigrants, adding to the community’s concerns.
The White House has pointed to the successful National Guard deployment in Washington, D.C., where crime rates dropped significantly last month as a template for action.
Despite Trump’s commitment to addressing crime in urban areas, like Chicago, no concrete steps have been taken yet. Lopez urges the White House to work with local leaders, including liberal figures like Governor JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson.
“You’d think common sense would prevail,” he noted, acknowledging the logic in requesting federal support to bolster the under-resourced Chicago Police Department.
Lopez stressed the importance of everyday safety for his residents, who merely wish to go about their lives without the fear of violence.
He expressed disappointment that many Democratic elites seem disconnected from these realities.
Although Lopez breaks ranks from the general reluctance among local Democrats to align with Trump, he senses a quiet agreement among his colleagues regarding the need for security assistance. He’s concerned that political pressures from influential figures like Pritzker may stifle open discussion.
Lopez speculated, “Maybe half of the city council supports this idea, but I wonder if anyone is brave enough to challenge the billionaire governor over fears it could affect their own political standing.” He believes there’s significant, though unvoiced, support among his peers.
According to him, residents in the 15th District overwhelmingly back the idea of National Guard involvement.
“People are aware of the efforts some of my colleagues are making to maintain their anti-Trump stances, rather than genuinely addressing the issues,” he commented.
So far, Lopez remains one of the few local Democrats voicing support for Trump’s approach. The exception is Robert Milan, a former assistant state’s attorney, who advocated for local police support using federal resources in the past, achieving notable success.
Milan pointed out that while it might seem simple to request Trump’s help, local leaders are too absorbed in political theatrics. “This is a safety matter, not a political one,” he remarked, referencing the ongoing violence affecting communities in the south and west sides of Chicago.
