Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has strongly criticized former President Donald Trump’s recent suggestion to deploy the National Guard to Chicago as part of a federal crime crackdown. Johnson warned that such a move

would be met with resistance from the city’s residents, stating that Chicagoans are “accustomed to rising up against tyranny” and won’t allow the city to become a “military-occupied state.”

Trump’s remarks over the weekend about targeting Chicago for enhanced law enforcement measures also drew sharp criticism from Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who labeled the proposal a “manufactured crisis.” Both Johnson and Pritzker, Democrats, have publicly downplayed the severity of Chicago’s crime issues, despite increasing pressure and alarming statistics.

Mayor Johnson emphasized the city’s values and dismissed federal involvement, arguing that federal agents “don’t have police power.” He cited solidarity with other Democratic leaders like Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in opposing what he called authoritarian tactics, and insisted that Chicago would respond with legal and civic action if the federal government interferes. Read more below