President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago has triggered sharp criticism from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and city leaders, who say the move is unnecessary, dangerous, and a misuse of federal authority.

The Illinois governor called the proposed deployment “an abuse of power,” arguing that there is no emergency in the state that would justify sending troops. “The president is attempting to manufacture a crisis,” Pritzker said in a statement, pushing back against Trump’s claims that cities like Chicago and New York are plagued by uncontrolled crime.

The announcement comes after Trump deployed nearly 2,000 National Guard members to Washington, D.C. — another city led by Democrats — in what the administration described as a crackdown on violent crime. Critics, however, argue that the move is politically motivated and could inflame tensions rather than improve safety.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also voiced concern, saying he had received no formal communication from the White House or the Pentagon about deploying troops to the city. In a strongly worded statement, Johnson warned that the presence of federal troops could destabilize neighborhoods and damage fragile community-police relations.

“The president’s approach is uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound,” Johnson said. He added that such a move could threaten the progress Chicago has made in reducing violent crime.

Chicago officials argue that local law enforcement, along with community-based crime prevention programs, are already producing results. Johnson stressed that the city government has “grave concerns” about the legal and practical implications of any federal troop presence.

The debate in Chicago comes as U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the National Guard in Washington, D.C., would now be armed. Originally, the 2,000 Guard members deployed to the capital were unarmed, serving mostly in support roles near landmarks such as Union Station and the National Mall.

The Pentagon said the change would ensure troops were equipped “consistent with their mission and training.” While federal officials praised the move as necessary for public safety, polls show that nearly 80% of Washington residents oppose the troop presence.

Despite the criticism, Trump has declared the mission in D.C. a “total success,” saying the capital is now “safe” after what he described as being a “hellhole.” The president also suggested that the same tactics could be used in Chicago and New York, with the possibility of expanding National Guard deployments across 19 states in the coming weeks.

The White House has also hinted that Trump may declare a national emergency if he wants to extend the 30-day troop deployment deadline. “If I have a national emergency, I can keep the troops here as long as I want,” Trump said, underscoring his willingness to bypass local governments that oppose his plan.

So far, several Republican-led states, including South Carolina and West Virginia, have pledged to contribute forces to the president’s broader crackdown. Trump has also proposed asking Congress for $2 billion to “beautify” Washington, D.C., even after the city’s budget was slashed by $1.1 billion earlier this year.

Attorney General Pam Bondi claimed that more than 700 arrests have been made since the federal operation in Washington began, including 40 arrests in a single day, and that authorities seized 91 illegal firearms.

But local leaders, including D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, point to declining crime statistics as evidence that federal intervention is unnecessary. Bowser noted that Washington is experiencing a “30-year low” in violent crime, challenging the administration’s narrative that cities are spiraling out of control.

This mirrors concerns in Chicago, where critics say Trump’s framing of crime is exaggerated to justify military-style intervention.

For now, it remains unclear whether Trump will follow through with deploying troops to Chicago. City officials have not received formal orders, and legal experts warn that such a move could face court challenges.

Still, the political clash highlights a deep divide between the federal government and Democratic-led states. For Trump’s supporters, the promise to send troops signals toughness on crime and border security. For critics, however, it represents a dangerous expansion of executive power and a threat to local democracy.

As the debate intensifies, Chicago residents are left uncertain about whether troops could soon appear in their neighborhoods — and what that would mean for the city’s future.

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