Chicago Mayor Issues Executive Order Limiting Federal Intervention in City Policing
CHICAGO, IL – August 29, 2025 – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order today aimed at preventing the militarization of the city’s police force and clarifying the limits of federal involvement in local law enforcement, following recent statements from President Donald Trump regarding potential federal intervention to address crime.
The order, released this afternoon, emphasizes the city’s commitment to community policing and outlines protocols for any collaboration wiht federal agencies. It specifically addresses concerns raised after President Trump indicated Chicago would be the next target for federal deployment following a similar action in Washington D.C., a federal jurisdiction.
“The safety and well-being of our residents is paramount,” Mayor Johnson stated in a press conference. “This executive order reaffirms our dedication to constitutional policing and ensures any external assistance respects the sovereignty of our city and the trust we’ve built with our communities.”
The move comes after a back-and-forth exchange between President Trump and Illinois governor JB Pritzker. Trump,on august 22nd,described Chicago as “a mess” with an “incompetent mayor” and suggested federal intervention was imminent. “We’re going to make our cities very,very safe,” Trump said. “Chicago’s a mess…and we’ll straighten that one out probably next.”
Governor Pritzker responded on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “No, Donald. You can’t do whatever you want.” Pritzker initially criticized Trump on August 28th, tweeting, “Donald Trump is exactly the kind of person that our founders warned us about. He cozies up to dictators like Putin because he idolizes them. His actions are hazardous and un-American.”
As of late August, Chicago has recorded 266 homicides in 2025, according to the Chicago Police Department. While this figure represents a serious concern, data indicates a downward trend in violent crime. The city is “about 25% below where they were in the first half of 2019,” according to Ernesto Lopez,a senior research specialist at the Council on Criminal Justice,as reported by the Chicago Sun Times on July 25th.
In 2024, Chicago saw 581 murders, compared to 621 in 2023, within a population of 2.7 million. Despite the high numbers, Chicago does not rank among the cities with the highest homicide rates nationally. In 2023,Memphis,Tennessee,led the nation with 409 homicides per 100,000 residents,while Chicago’s rate was 29.7 per 100,000, placing it outside the top 15.
Crime in Chicago is largely concentrated in neighborhoods on the South and West sides, with lower rates reported in the downtown area. Governor Pritzker recently highlighted areas where crime has decreased, showcasing positive trends in city safety.on Saturday, President Trump renewed his criticism of Governor Pritzker on Truth Social, stating, “Six people were killed, and 24 people were shot, in Chicago last weekend, and JB Pritzker, the weak and pathetic Governor of Illinois, just said that he doesn’t need help in preventing CRIME. He is CRAZY!!! He better straighten it out, FAST, or we’re coming!”
The Mayor’s executive order seeks to establish clear boundaries for federal involvement, prioritizing locally-led initiatives and community-based solutions to address crime in Chicago.The full text of the order is available on the City of Chicago’s website.
