After the federal takeover in Washington D.C., U.S. President Donald Trump has shifted his focus to Chicago, Illinois. A report by The Washington Post revealed that the Pentagon has been quietly preparing a deployment plan for weeks. The discussions include the possible mobilization of “a few thousand members of the National Guard as soon as September.”
Sources familiar with the matter suggested that this plan is not new. Military intervention in Chicago “has long been in planning,” and is closely linked with Trump’s agenda of cracking down on crime, illegal immigration, and homelessness in American cities. Alongside the military, officials are also considering expanded Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations to locate and detain undocumented migrants in the city.
Trump’s Harsh Words Against Chicago Leadership
Trump made his intentions clear during remarks on Friday. He targeted Chicago’s leadership, blaming city officials for mismanagement and rising violence.
“Chicago’s a mess. You have an incompetent mayor. Grossly incompetent. And we’ll straighten that one out probably next. That’ll be our next one after this. And it won’t even be tough,” Trump said.
This statement came as part of a broader list of cities he claimed he wanted to “clean up,” suggesting that Chicago could soon see the same kind of federal intervention recently imposed in Washington D.C.
Critics Warn of “Authoritarian Overreach”
Illinois leaders reacted sharply to Trump’s statements. Governor JB Pritzker accused the president of deliberately trying to inflame tensions for political gain. “After using Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. as his testing ground for authoritarian overreach, Trump is now openly flirting with the idea of taking over other states and cities,” Pritzker said.
He added that Trump’s strategy was not about public safety, but about sowing fear. “Trump’s goal is to incite fear in our communities and destabilize existing public safety efforts all to create a justification to further abuse his power,” the governor warned.
Concerns From Chicago’s Mayor
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson echoed these concerns. He strongly criticized the president’s remarks, calling them reckless and unnecessary. “The problem with the President’s approach is that it is uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound,” Johnson said.
City officials worry that military involvement could disrupt existing law enforcement operations and create panic in neighborhoods already struggling with violence and economic hardship.
Context: Rising Tensions Between Trump and City Leaders
This latest development reflects a growing conflict between the White House and state and city officials. Trump has repeatedly framed Democratic-led cities as examples of lawlessness, while governors and mayors accuse him of exploiting public safety issues to justify federal overreach.
The federal response in Washington D.C. which involved military patrols and a heavy security presence has already sparked widespread criticism. Now, Chicago may become the next flashpoint in this political battle over law, order, and presidential authority.
Also Read: Trump’s Second Term Play: Retribution, Raids, And The Shadow Of An ‘Enemies List’
