On Sunday, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) expressed concerns about President Trump’s plans to send troops to Chicago, stating there’s no “justification” for such actions in democratic cities.
Krishnamoorthi criticized the idea, suggesting that Trump’s “illegal attempts to militarize Chicago will only create chaos and spectacle.” He further noted that there’s no emergency in Washington or Los Angeles that would warrant deploying federal troops in local communities.
Currently, over 2,200 National Guard members are stationed in Washington, D.C. as part of the Joint Task Force (JTF-DC), assisting local law enforcement. A similar deployment occurred in Los Angeles during protests against Trump’s immigration policies.
On Friday, Trump mentioned that Chicago might be next in line for his crime, homelessness, and illegal immigration crackdown efforts. He remarked, “Chicago… I think it’s next,” while also acknowledging assistance would be provided in New York.
The Washington Post reported on Saturday that plans for a military presence in Chicago have been in the works for weeks, possibly involving thousands of National Guard members patrolling the city’s streets in September.
Krishnamoorthi asserted, “The intense abuse of Donald Trump’s power must end,” emphasizing that military personnel shouldn’t be used as pawns in political games.
He also mentioned that the governor has proposed legislation to restrict the president’s ability to deploy troops without a formal request for intervention.
“If the president is serious about making Chicago safer, we’re willing to collaborate with his administration. But it shouldn’t be a half-hearted stunt that violates the constitution and causes confusion,” Krishnamoorthi added.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, a Democrat, stated he is in discussions with the governor and local officials regarding the potential “unconstitutional military deployment” in the city. He expressed solidarity with leaders in Cook County, saying, “Chicago does not seek military occupation of our city,” while noting that they are exploring legal avenues to protect residents from federal overreach.
Johnson further asserted, “No matter what happens, the city of Chicago won’t shake. We’re Chicago. We won’t bend or break.”
