Illinois leaders, including Governor JB Pritzker and Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, have strongly criticized President Donald Trump’s proposal to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago to address crime. They argue that using the military to tackle law enforcement issues is unconstitutional and un-American, and that this approach would divert resources from the military’s core mission of national defense. Pritzker, a Democrat, dismissed the plan as a dangerous power grab, stating that if this happened in any other country, it would be labeled as such. Duckworth, in a Monday post, warned that the military’s involvement in civilian affairs would distract from its primary role of protecting Americans from real threats, rather than intimidating communities.
Critics, including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, have also raised concerns about the potential for the National Guard’s deployment to inflame tensions between residents and law enforcement. Johnson noted that crime in Chicago has seen a significant decline in recent months, with homicides dropping by over 30%, robberies by 35%, and shootings by nearly 40%. He criticized Trump’s approach as uncoordinated and unsound, emphasizing that trust between police and residents is essential for building safer communities. Meanwhile, the White House has defended the proposal, citing persistent violence in Chicago and arguing that the city has experienced the highest number of murders for the past 13 years. The administration has floated the idea of deploying National Guard troops to other cities, including New York, as part of its broader strategy to address crime.
Despite the backlash, Trump has continued to push for the deployment, suggesting that the National Guard could resolve Chicago’s crime issues within a week, similar to how he addressed the situation in Washington, D.C. His comments have drawn sharp criticism from Illinois Democrats and local officials, who argue that the move is politically motivated and undermines the rule of law. Trump’s suggestion to federalize the National Guard has also raised concerns about the separation of powers, with some lawmakers warning that it could set a dangerous precedent for executive overreach. As the debate continues, Illinois leaders remain firm in their opposition, calling for a civilian-led response to the city’s security challenges rather than a military one.