The Trump administration has long been preparing to mobilize National Guard troops in Chicago as part of an enhanced effort to address crime and immigration issues, as reported by various sources in the US. Plans drafted by the Pentagon aim to potentially deploy several thousand National Guard members to Chicago, with a possible timeline as early as September, reported The Washington Post, citing officials who chose to remain anonymous.
While the Pentagon declined to verify these reports, a defense official mentioned that the department focuses on planning and collaborating with other agencies to safeguard federal assets and personnel. This move comes after President Donald Trump recently deployed National Guard troops in Washington, DC, with indications of personnel being armed soon, according to another defense official.
President Trump, speaking at the White House on Friday, indicated that Chicago and New York, both under Democratic leadership, could expect similar measures to enhance safety in their cities. The anticipated deployment in Chicago mirrors a previous operation in Los Angeles in June, where California National Guard members and active-duty Marines were sent despite objections from the state, as per sources revealed to CNN.
This potential deployment aligns with the broader Immigration and Customs Enforcement efforts targeting undocumented migrants. However, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, both Democrats, vehemently opposed the notion. Pritzker criticized Trump and the Republican Party for promoting a false image of ‘law and order,’ emphasizing that the administration’s actions are a threat to public safety. Johnson echoed these sentiments, stating that Chicago had not been formally notified of any military deployment plans, denouncing such actions as disorganized and unnecessary.
In 2024, Chicago reported 573 homicides, as per the city’s police, marking an eight percent decrease from the previous year.