Chicago Mayor Criticizes Trump’s National Guard Plans

Chicago’s Mayor, Brandon Johnson, has voiced his concerns regarding President Trump’s potential decision to deploy the National Guard to the city. He described the move as part of the president’s so-called “attack” on public safety in Chicago.

In a statement issued on Friday, Johnson expressed significant worries about the “illegal deployment” of National Guard troops, highlighting that the president’s strategy hasn’t been effectively coordinated, which he described as “unhealthy.”

On the same day, Trump informed reporters at the Oval Office about plans to send National Guard forces to various Democratic-controlled cities, including Chicago.

He remarked, “Chicago is confused. You have an incompetent mayor.” This statement seemed to underscore his opinion that Johnson has mishandled the city’s issues.

However, Johnson emphasized that crime rates in Chicago are on a downward trend.

“As mayors, we have firsthand experience on what it takes to address crime in our cities,” he remarked to WGN, a local news affiliate.

He further criticized the president’s rhetoric, asserting, “It would be totally shameful and offensive for this president to speak in the name of law and order, while simultaneously opposing it.”

In his statement, Johnson argued that sending National Guard troops would jeopardize the “historic progress” Chicago has made against crime. He noted that in the past year, incidents of robbery and shootings have decreased by over 30%, approaching 40%.

Last week, Trump took action on crime in Washington, D.C., by federalizing the Metropolitan Police Department under the Home Rules Act and dispatching 800 National Guard members to bolster security. By Tuesday, that number rose to nearly 1,750 personnel deployed across the city.

Since August 7th, reports from the White House indicated that there have been 556 arrests in the capital. D.C. officials, including Mayor Muriel Bowser, have criticized Trump’s approach, framing it as a power move tied to immigration issues.

Criticism of Trump’s law enforcement policies has been echoed by Democrats nationwide.

Johnson concluded, “Our community is safest when we fully invest in housing, community safety, and education. There are many effective ways the federal government can assist in reducing crime in Chicago, but sending in the military isn’t one of them.”