Chicago mayor Vows to defend City Against Federal Intervention Following Trump‘s Threat of troop Deployment
CHICAGO, IL – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the city’s residents and upholding its sanctuary city policies Thursday, responding to former President Donald Trump’s recent statements indicating a potential deployment of troops to Chicago. Trump has characterized Chicago as “a mess” and claimed residents are “screaming for us to go,” following a similar National Guard deployment to Washington, D.C.
The escalating tension comes as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity raises concerns within the city’s immigrant communities. Governor J.B. Pritzker stated he was informed ICE intends to disrupt community events,characterizing the potential actions as “terror and cruelty” intended to instill fear. Organizers of the “El Grito chicago” festival cancelled the two-day event due to these ICE raid fears.
Mayor Johnson has taken steps to resist federal intervention, signing an executive order last weekend prohibiting law enforcement from wearing face masks – a tactic previously employed by ICE agents in other cities. Both Johnson and Pritzker are maintaining the state’s sanctuary city policies, which prevent local law enforcement from assisting ICE agents without a valid criminal warrant.
“Why would I ask you to stay home?” Johnson asked Thursday, encouraging Chicagoans to continue celebrating Mexican Independence Day. ”Why would we allow someone who is auditioning to become a dictator of democracy to intimidate the soul of America, the city of Chicago? We should celebrate.”
Trump,speaking at a World Cup event in the Oval Office two weeks ago,announced Chicago as his next target for troop deployment after Washington,D.C. He claimed the National Guard deployment to D.C. is aiding in addressing the city’s crime problem.
DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb has filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the National Guard deployment in the capital, arguing it constitutes an illegal use of the military for domestic law enforcement.schwalb stated,”No American jurisdiction should be involuntarily subjected to military occupation.”
Trump further asserted he performs “great” with the Black vote, claiming “African-American ladies, gorgeous ladies, are saying: ‘Please, President Trump, come to Chicago.'” He also indicated New York City would be the next focus of federal intervention after Chicago. Miller, identified as the management’s top immigration hardliner and architect of the Trump administration’s child separation policy, has not commented directly on the Chicago situation.