Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has slammed President Donald Trump for suggesting federal troops could be deployed to enforce immigration policies in the city, warning that the move could be unconstitutional and face legal challenges. Johnson’s remarks, made during a City Hall press conference, come as federal officials reportedly plan to escalate immigration enforcement in sanctuary cities like Chicago. The mayor described the potential deployment as a threat to civil liberties and local governance, stating, “It’s just another example of his animus towards working people.”
Johnson’s comments were in response to a Trump administration official’s statement to Rolling Stone, claiming, “Chicago is next, if they go too far,” referencing recent protests and the city’s sanctuary policies. The official added, “The second they do, the president is prepared to prove that nobody is above the law.” These remarks follow anti-ICE and anti-Trump protests in Chicago, which have echoed nationwide demonstrations, prompting federal officials to closely monitor the situation, particularly after the Trump administration sent National Guard forces to Los Angeles.
Chicago’s Corporation Counsel, Mary Richardson-Lowry, highlighted the constitutional concerns, stating, “We believe it is a violation of the Constitution to deploy troops or National Guard absent authority under the Constitution.” Johnson has also raised concerns about Illinois’ projected spending on migrants, with a report claiming the state could spend $2.5 billion on migrants by the end of 2025. The latest tensions follow Illinois Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s recent congressional testimony in support of the state’s sanctuary city policies. Johnson has also criticized ICE raids as “terrorism,” calling for Chicagoans to “rise up” against what he describes as unlawful measures.
The mayor’s office did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Chicago has received over 51,000 migrants from the southern border since August 2022, many bussed from Texas under GOP Gov. Greg Abbott’s relocation effort. Johnson’s stance reflects a broader resistance in Chicago to federal immigration policies, with the city remaining a key battleground in the ongoing debate over sanctuary city status.