Chicago Crime Declining as Trump Revives National Guard Threat, Sparking Opposition
As former President Trump once again suggested deploying National Guard troops to Chicago to address crime, data reveals the city has already seen important reductions in violent crime over the past year. The renewed threat has ignited debate, drawing responses from both military veterans and Illinois lawmakers.
On Tuesday, a group of military veterans gathered at Federal Plaza in Chicago’s Loop, urging National Guard members to resist what they deem an unlawful deployment.Simultaneously, a contingent of conservative illinois state lawmakers, primarily representing downstate districts, expressed support for a troop presence in the city.
Illinois state Representative Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) stated, ”We need to make substantive change. To me, it is a public safety issue that can be addressed. It has been addressed successfully in D.C. Let’s bring it to Illinois,” referencing President Trump’s previous deployment of National Guard troops to Washington D.C.
However, a CBS News analysis indicates that crime in Washington D.C. was already trending downward before the president’s deployment of troops and federal agents.
In Chicago, statistics compiled by the CBS News Chicago data team demonstrate a marked betterment in key crime categories. The number of homicide victims is down 31%, shootings have decreased by 36%, and overall violent crime has fallen 21% over the last year.
At Federal Plaza, veterans opposing the deployment encouraged active-duty National Guard members to question and potentially refuse orders they believe are illegal. “To members of the National Guard: you are not alone. If you are questioning your orders, if you have concerns about your orders, you are not alone. You have options. You have rights. You have the right and the duty to refuse illegal orders,” said Aaron Hughes, an Iraq war veteran with About Face: Veterans Against the War.
Attorney Brad Thomson added, “Service members signed up to uphold the Constitution. Service members did not sign up to become pawns for a president trying to score political points against the opposing party.”
The groups also called on Governor JB pritzker to actively oppose the potential deployment, utilizing his authority as commander in chief of the Illinois National Guard. “Back up your words with actions by directing the Illinois National Guard not to report; to refuse these orders,” urged Daniel Lakemacher, a U.S.Navy veteran with About Face: Veterans Against the War.Guard members who refuse orders or deployment could face disciplinary action. Opponents of the deployment have vowed to continue protesting at Federal plaza should President Trump follow through with his threat to send the National Guard to Chicago.
