President Trump announced the potential deployment of the National Guard to Chicago in early August. Trump plans to send troops to Chicago with the same intention he had when sending troops to Washington, D.C.: to help deal with crime. However, Chicago is continuing to resist to any plans of potential military deployment in the city.
Trump declared a “public safety emergency” on August 11, sending 800 troops to Washington, D.C.. He plans to send troops to Chicago, but hasn’t released any information regarding when he plans to do so. According to ABC7 Chicago, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson claims that the White House has not directly communicated any desire to send federal troops to the city.
President Trump, however, has repeatedly mentioned wanting to send the National Guard to Chicago. According to CBS News, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is against Trump’s idea, believing it’s an invasion with U.S. troops.
“Now, he may disagree with a state that didn’t vote for him. But, should he be sending troops in? No,” Pritzker said.
Due to the Insurrection Act, federalized troops can only enforce federal laws, protect civil rights, and suppress an insurrection. With this, the National Guard would only be able to address issues rather than take action, such as arresting a civilian.
With the crime rate already down in Chicago, many seem to wonder what purpose the National Guard will serve. Junior Aayush Shah discusses his thoughts on how the National Guard may impact Chicago’s crime rates.
“I feel like just their presence would bring it [crimes] down a little just because of some level of intimidation,” Shah said.
JB Pritzker’s defiant reaction to President Trump’s statement has led to continuous discourse regarding the deployment of the National Guard in both the Chicago and Chicagoland area. Shah believes that the changes that could potentially be made won’t have a long-term impact.
“I don’t think anything would change in the long run. I think on the first day something will change, but go back to normal after,” Shah said.
Fear in Chicago has been rising as many are not sure of what will happen with President Trump’s unclear motives. However, both Governor Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Johnson are severely against the deployment. According to Fox News, Mayor Brandon Johnson made a statement resisting the possibility of deployment.
“When we fight back against tyranny, the people united will always prevail,” Johnson said.