Illinois Governor JB Pritzker condemned President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy troops to Chicago. He called the move an abuse of power.
Pritzker said no emergency justifies sending the National Guard to Illinois. He accused Trump of fabricating a crisis to justify action.
Trump already deployed about 2,000 troops to Washington DC. The city’s Democratic leadership opposes the measure. Trump frames the mission as a crackdown on crime in major US cities.
On Friday, he announced that Chicago and New York could face the same strategy.
Chicago mayor warns of dangerous consequences
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said he had not been informed about National Guard deployment. He voiced grave concerns about the president’s plan. He described it as uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound.
Johnson warned that an unlawful deployment could spark tensions between residents and police. He added it could threaten progress made in cutting crime.
Washington troops now ordered to carry weapons
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered Washington DC National Guard members to be armed. The decision marked a clear reversal from the Pentagon’s earlier stance. Last week, the Pentagon insisted troops would remain unarmed.
So far, the Guard has not taken part in direct law enforcement. Federal agencies and local police carry out those duties. Guardsmen have been stationed near landmarks such as the National Mall and Union Station.
The Pentagon confirmed troops will carry weapons according to mission and training. It remains unclear whether this signals a shift in their role.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser has not commented on the decision.
Trump praises results and threatens emergency powers
Trump defended the deployment during remarks in the Oval Office. He claimed Washington is now safe after the arrival of troops. He suggested Chicago could see similar action.
Trump announced that 1,700 Guardsmen will deploy across 19 states in the coming weeks. Texas will receive the largest share. The Guardsmen will support immigration enforcement and act as deterrents.
He also said he may declare a national emergency when the 30-day deployment ends. That step would allow him to keep troops in place indefinitely. He warned he would act if he believed conditions required it.
Local resistance continues to grow
Republican-led states such as South Carolina and West Virginia have already sent troops. Trump also pledged to seek $2 billion from Congress to improve Washington’s appearance. Earlier this year, lawmakers cut the city’s budget by $1.1 billion.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said more than 700 arrests have been made since the mission began. She added that 91 illegal firearms had been seized, including 40 arrests on Thursday.
Local officials questioned the need for federal involvement. Mayor Bowser pointed to a sharp drop in crime, calling it the lowest level in 30 years.
A Washington Post and Schar School poll found strong opposition. Nearly 80 percent of residents rejected the National Guard presence and federal control of the Metropolitan Police Department.
