Illinois Officials Respond to Possible Military Deployment in Chicago
Top officials in Illinois have publicly voiced their concerns after hearing that the President may be planning to send federal troops to Chicago. This comes in the wake of the President's recent decision to station the National Guard in Washington, D.C., a move seen by many as an attempt to tighten his grip on crime in the nation's capital.
Preparation for Military Deployment
Recent rumors suggest that the military has been preparing to descend upon Chicago for several weeks now. It's believed that there may be numerous strategies on the table, including the possibility of dispatching thousands of National Guard members to the city within the coming weeks.
Chicago Leaders Respond
Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton was quick to denounce the reported plans, stating that the President's potential decision to deploy federal troops in Chicago only confirms a widely-held belief: he won't hesitate to incite chaos if it could lead to more political power, regardless of who gets hurt in the process.
"Throughout my career and as Lieutenant Governor, I've consistently advocated for the overhaul of our criminal legal system," Stratton said. "Under our administration, we've made significant strides. Crime rates in Chicago are decreasing, and there's no justification for this decision besides using it as a distraction from the harm his dangerous policies are inflicting on working families."
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker echoed Stratton's sentiments, stating that they had received no requests or inquiries from the federal government about needing assistance, and no requests for federal intervention had been made. "The safety of Illinois residents is always my top priority," Pritzker said. "There's no emergency that justifies the President federalizing the Illinois National Guard or sending active duty military within our borders."
Chicago's Mayor Weighs In
Chicago's Mayor, Brandon Johnson, had the chance to speak about the city's crime issue at a neighborhood gathering. "One shooting, one homicide is one too many, and that's why gatherings like this are so powerful, it's a reminder of the work we still have to do," Johnson said. "Look at all the young people and families here today. This is the real Chicago. The image being painted by the federal government is false. We love and support each other, we invest in each other, because we know we are our best keepers."
President's Remarks
The President stated on Friday that he may target Chicago next in his efforts to crack down on crime, homelessness, and illegal immigration. He suggested that the city could see a similar treatment to what Washington, D.C. had experienced, with the deployment of 2,000 troops.
The President has consistently described some of the country's largest cities, particularly those led by Democrats and with majority-minority populations, as dangerous and unclean. He singled out Chicago on Friday, labeling it a "disaster" and claiming its residents were "begging for us to come."
Critics Respond
Many critics argue that the President's motives have nothing to do with reducing crime, but are instead a political stunt. The President has labeled Chicago as a very dangerous place, but crime data from the Chicago police shows a decrease in overall crime by 13%, violent crime by 23%, and property crimes by 11% compared to last year.
Mayor Johnson responded to the President's comments, stating, "The issue with the President's strategy is that it's uncoordinated, unnecessary, and unsound." It's reported that the city's legal team is already preparing a response.