Gov. Pritzker to Address Pres. Trump’s Chicago National Guard Deployment Plans This Monday: What You Need to Know

CHICAGO (WLS) — There’s a growing backlash against the idea of sending National Guard troops to Chicago, a plan reportedly being considered by former President Donald Trump. Governor JB Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul will address these concerns in a news conference soon.

Though there’s been no official decision yet, sources confirm that planning is in motion. Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed frustration over a lack of communication from the White House, even as reports suggest the administration has been organizing logistics for weeks.

A Pentagon spokesperson stated, “We won’t speculate on further operations.” The Department is in constant collaboration with other agencies to ensure the safety of federal assets and personnel.

Meanwhile, opinions in Chicago vary. The group “Chicago Flips Red” claims that despite declining crime statistics from the Chicago Police Department, many residents still feel unsafe and support National Guard involvement. Zoe Leigh from the group said, “With the level of crime, we need some type of law and order.”

Opposing this stance, Mayor Johnson remarked, “Brave men and women who signed up to serve our country did not sign up to occupy American cities.” He highlighted the legal limitations the federal government has over local jurisdictions, noting that without the governor’s consent, the National Guard’s role is restricted to protecting federal buildings.

In a strong statement, Governor Pritzker criticized Trump for attempting to “manufacture a crisis.” He accused Trump of politicizing military service as a distraction from the struggles faced by American families.

If the deployment occurs, Mayor Johnson is prepared to take legal action, though it remains unclear how effective that would be. This situation draws parallels to past incidents, such as in Los Angeles when the National Guard was deployed recently, leading to ongoing legal disputes.

As public sentiment grows polarized, discussions around this potential deployment highlight the complexity of safety, governance, and civil rights in America.



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