The Pentagon has been quietly drafting contingency plans for deploying the U.S. military to Chicago. According to the Washington Post, the move is being weighed as President Donald Trump continues to link crime, homelessness, and undocumented immigration with Democratic-led cities. Officials cited that one option includes mobilizing several thousand National Guard members as early as September.
Trump Criticises Chicago Leadership and Calls for Immediate Action
On Friday, President Trump described Chicago as “a mess” and criticized its Democratic mayor while promising to fix the city next. He stressed that drastic measures were necessary, echoing his broader campaign narrative of law and order. However, Pentagon officials issued a cautious statement later on Saturday, saying the department would not speculate on future operations. They maintained that planning is routine and focuses on protecting federal assets and personnel.
Illinois Governor and Chicago Mayor Reject Trump’s Approach
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker strongly rejected the idea, saying the state had received no request for military assistance. He argued that no emergency situation justified such intervention, accusing Trump of manufacturing a crisis for political purposes. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also voiced concern, labeling the President’s strategy “uncoordinated, uncalled for and unsound.” Johnson emphasized that crime rates in the city had already declined significantly over the past year, including drops in homicides, robberies, and shootings.
Previous Military Deployments Highlight Trump’s Strategy
This is not the first instance of Trump resorting to military involvement in domestic matters. Just last weekend, Republican governors of three states complied with Trump’s request by sending National Guard troops to Washington, DC. The President has often portrayed the capital as crime-ridden, although Justice Department statistics reveal violent crime there recently hit a 30-year low. Furthermore, in June, Trump ordered Marines and thousands of National Guard members into Los Angeles during immigration-related protests, despite opposition from California’s Democratic governor.
