Illinois Governor JB Pritzker denounced President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy the National Guard in Chicago. He called it an abuse of power.
Pritzker said no emergency exists that would justify sending troops into Illinois. He accused Trump of manufacturing a crisis to advance his agenda.
Trump has already deployed around 2,000 troops to Washington DC. The city’s Democratic leadership opposed the measure. Trump presents the deployment as part of a nationwide crackdown on crime.
On Friday, he said Chicago and New York could be next.
Chicago mayor warns of rising tensions
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said he had received no official notice about National Guard deployment. He voiced serious concerns about the plan. He described it as uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound.
Johnson warned the move could escalate tensions between residents and police. He added it could undermine progress in reducing crime across the city.
Pentagon reverses policy, arms Guard in Washington
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered National Guard members in Washington DC to carry weapons. The decision reversed previous Pentagon guidance. Just last week, officials said troops would remain unarmed.
So far, Guard members have not participated in policing. Local officers and federal agencies continue law enforcement duties. Troops remain stationed near landmarks such as the National Mall and Union Station.
The Pentagon said troops will carry weapons consistent with their training and mission. It remains unclear whether their role in the city will expand.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser has not commented on the order.
Trump praises deployment and signals possible emergency powers
Trump said the Washington mission restored safety. He claimed the city had been unsafe before the Guard arrived but is now secure. He praised the troops and suggested extending the operation to Chicago.
He announced 1,700 Guardsmen will deploy across 19 states in the coming weeks. Texas will host the largest share. The troops will support immigration enforcement and act as deterrents.
Trump added he may declare a national emergency once the 30-day mission ends. That would allow him to keep troops indefinitely. He said he would act if conditions required it.
Local leaders push back strongly
Several Republican-led states, including South Carolina and West Virginia, already contributed troops. Trump also pledged to request $2 billion from Congress to beautify Washington. Earlier this year, lawmakers cut the city’s budget by $1.1 billion.
Attorney General Pam Bondi reported more than 700 arrests since the operation began. She said 91 illegal firearms had been seized, including 40 arrests on Thursday.
Local leaders questioned the need for federal intervention. Mayor Bowser highlighted a major drop in crime, calling it the lowest in 30 years.
A Washington Post and Schar School poll revealed strong opposition. Nearly 80 percent of residents opposed both the Guard deployment and federal control of the Metropolitan Police Department.
