President Donald Trump has announced plans to deploy military personnel to Chicago, Illinois, as part of his ongoing effort to address crime, homelessness, and undocumented immigration in major U.S. cities. According to a report by The Washington Post, the Pentagon has been planning this operation for weeks, with the potential deployment of several thousand National Guard troops as early as September 2025. This move follows similar actions in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, raising concerns among local leaders about federal overreach and its impact on community safety.
Trump’s Crackdown Strategy
On Friday, August 22, 2025, President Trump signaled his focus on Chicago, describing the city as “a mess” and criticizing its mayor, Brandon Johnson, as “grossly incompetent.” He stated, “We are going to make our cities very, very safe. Chicago is a mess… And we will straighten that one out probably next. That will be our next one after this. And it won’t even be tough.” Trump also mentioned New York as a potential target for future federal intervention. The deployment in Chicago is part of a broader strategy to address what Trump describes as rampant crime and illegal immigration, with plans that could serve as a model for other cities.
The Pentagon’s preparations reportedly include mobilizing at least a few thousand National Guard members, with discussions about using active-duty troops, though this is considered less likely. The operation is linked to increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities aimed at arresting undocumented migrants, following a directive from White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller to achieve at least 3,000 arrests per day. This follows a similar operation in Los Angeles in June 2025, where 4,000 National Guard members and 700 active-duty Marines were deployed despite opposition from local leaders.
Local Leaders Push Back
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker have strongly opposed Trump’s plans, arguing that the deployment is unnecessary and could harm public safety. Johnson described the approach as “uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound,” warning that it could “inflame tensions between residents and law enforcement.” He highlighted Chicago’s progress in reducing crime, noting that homicides have dropped by more than 30%, robberies by 35%, and shootings by nearly 40% over the past year.
Governor Pritzker accused Trump of attempting to “destabilize” public safety efforts and “create chaos” to justify expanding his authority. He stated, “There is no emergency that warrants the president of the United States federalizing the Illinois National Guard, deploying the National Guard from other states, or sending active-duty military within our own borders.” Pritzker emphasized that neither the state nor the city had received formal communication from the federal government about the planned deployment, raising concerns about transparency and coordination.
Context and Controversy
Trump’s strategy builds on his recent actions in Washington, D.C., where he invoked the Home Rule Act to take control of the city’s police department and deployed over 2,000 National Guard troops, citing high crime rates. However, Justice Department data shows that violent crime in Washington, D.C., hit a 30-year low in 2024, undermining Trump’s claims. Similar trends are evident in Chicago, where homicides have decreased by about 50% since 2021, and shootings have dropped by 57% over the past four years, according to Chicago police data.
Critics argue that Trump’s deployment plans may be politically motivated, targeting Democratic-led cities like Chicago, Washington, D.C., and New York. The lack of formal communication with local officials and the absence of a clear emergency have fueled accusations of authoritarianism. Pritzker warned that Trump’s actions are an attempt to “incite fear in our communities and destabilize existing public safety efforts” to justify further power grabs.
What’s Next?
The proposed deployment in Chicago remains under discussion, with no final approval confirmed. The Pentagon has stated, “We won’t speculate on further operations. The Department is a planning organization and is continuously working with other agency partners on plans to protect federal assets and personnel.” However, the lack of coordination with state and local leaders raises questions about the operation’s legality and potential impact. A legal challenge in California over Trump’s earlier deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles is ongoing, and its outcome could influence whether state and local officials can contest similar actions in Chicago.
As Trump continues to push for military interventions in major cities, the debate over federal authority, public safety, and civil liberties is likely to intensify. For now, Chicago residents and officials are bracing for a potential escalation, with many expressing concerns about the consequences of federal troops in their city.