Democrats are still resorting to name calling. It’s the only thing they have left at this point.
And a radical Leftist governor called Trump two words that has him red with rage.
Chicago Leaders Clash with Trump Over National Guard Deployment Amid Crime Concerns
In a press conference in Chicago on Monday, Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker sharply rebuked President Trump’s reported plan to send National Guard troops to address the city’s ongoing struggle with violence.
Mayor Johnson, a radical Leftist, rejected the idea that jailing more people could solve the city’s issues. “We cannot incarcerate our way out of violence; we’ve already tried that, and we’ve ended up with the largest prison population in the world without solving the problems of crime and violence,” he said.
He called the approach “racist, immoral and unholy,” arguing it fails to address deeper causes and does little to foster safer communities.
Governor Pritzker was equally critical, branding Trump a “wannabe dictator” for contemplating federal intervention. “This is exactly the type of overreach that our country’s founders warned against,” he stated, calling the potential deployment “unprecedented,” “unwarranted,” and “un-American.” He warned that Chicago residents don’t want their “neighborhood turned into a warzone by a wannabe dictator.”
The controversy erupted after a Washington Post report revealed White House plans to potentially deploy thousands of National Guard troops to Chicago as early as September to curb crime. Similar actions took place in Los Angeles in June and Washington, DC, earlier this month, where armed troops supported local efforts.
When asked by reporters in the Oval Office, Trump confirmed he was considering the move, saying, “I am,” but offered few specifics, noting, “In a certain way, you really want to be asked to go.”
Pritzker dismissed Trump’s intentions as politically motivated. “This is not about fighting crime. This is about Donald Trump searching for any justification to deploy the military in a blue city, in a blue state. To try and intimidate his political rivals,” he stated.
Both leaders stressed that neither the city nor state had requested federal help, learning of the plan through news reports. “We found out what Trump was planning the same way all of you did. We read a story in the Washington Post,” Pritzker remarked.
Crime in Chicago shows a complex picture. Pritzker pointed to a 30% drop in homicides this year compared to 2024, with declines in most crime categories.
However, violence remains elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels. Data from the Council on Criminal Justice indicates aggravated assaults are up 16%, carjackings have soared 60%, and gun assaults are 46% higher than in 2019.
Chicago’s homicide rate, at 21.7 per 100,000 residents, significantly outpaces Los Angeles (7.1) and New York City (4.7), highlighting the city’s persistent challenges.
Trump, who labeled Chicago a “k*lling field” last Friday, rejected claims of authoritarianism. “A lot of people are saying, ‘Maybe we’d like a dictator.’ I don’t like a dictator. I’m not a dictator,” he said, while criticizing Pritzker’s leadership and even his personal fitness.
Johnson and Pritzker acknowledged the need for further efforts to reduce crime but maintained that local solutions, not federal troops, are the path forward.
National Guard deployments without local approval typically focus on protecting federal property, as seen in Los Angeles, where troops secured federal buildings and escorted ICE agents during protests.
In Washington, DC, under federal control, armed patrols have directly supported local police. Chicago’s situation remains unclear, with local leaders firmly rejecting what they view as an overreach of federal authority.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
