Illinois Governor JB Pritzker sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy troops in Chicago. He said the move is an abuse of power.
Pritzker argued no emergency exists that would justify sending the National Guard into Illinois. He accused Trump of inventing a crisis to expand federal control.
Trump already sent around 2,000 troops to Washington DC. The city’s Democratic leadership opposed the decision. Trump presents the mission as part of a sweeping crackdown on crime in US cities.
On Friday, he announced Chicago and New York could be next.
Chicago mayor warns of deepening unrest
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said he had received no official briefing about National Guard deployment. He voiced serious concerns over the plan. He called it uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound.
Johnson warned the deployment could raise tensions between residents and police. He said it could also reverse recent progress in cutting crime.
Pentagon orders armed presence in Washington
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered National Guard members in Washington DC to carry weapons. The order reversed an earlier Pentagon stance. Just last week, officials said troops would remain unarmed.
The Guard has not been involved in police operations so far. Local officers and federal agencies continue those responsibilities. Troops remain stationed near landmarks such as the National Mall and Union Station.
The Pentagon said troops will carry weapons in line with their training and mission. It remains uncertain whether their role in the capital will expand.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser has not issued a statement.
Trump hails deployment and considers emergency powers
Trump declared the Washington mission a success. He said the capital had been unsafe but is now secure after the Guard’s arrival. He praised the operation and suggested expanding it to Chicago.
He also announced 1,700 Guardsmen will deploy in 19 states in the coming weeks. Texas will receive the largest force. The troops will assist immigration enforcement and act as a deterrent.
Trump added he might declare a national emergency once the 30-day deadline ends. That move would allow him to keep troops indefinitely. He insisted he would act if conditions required it.
Strong backlash from local officials
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 deployment began. She said 91 illegal firearms had been seized, including 40 arrests on Thursday.
Local leaders questioned the need for federal involvement. Mayor Bowser pointed to a sharp fall in crime, describing it as the lowest in three decades.
A Washington Post and Schar School poll revealed strong resistance. Nearly 80 percent of residents opposed both the National Guard deployment and federal control of the Metropolitan Police Department.
