US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he will deploy National Guard troops to Chicago, describing the city as a “hellhole” plagued by gun violence.
“We’re going in,” Trump told reporters, while suggesting Baltimore could be next. He rejected claims that he is targeting Democratic-run cities, insisting, “This isn’t a political thing. I have an obligation.”
Citing Chicago crime data, Trump said, “When 20 people are killed over the last two and a half weeks and 75 are shot with bullets, I have an obligation.”
Truth Social tirade
Trump, who has already ordered Guard troops into Washington, DC, and Los Angeles in recent months, escalated his rhetoric on Truth Social, calling Chicago “the worst and most dangerous city in the World, by far.” He also blasted Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, writing, “He needs help badly, he just doesn’t know it yet,” before posting in all caps: “CHICAGO IS THE MURDER CAPITAL OF THE WORLD!”
Governor, mayor push back
Gov. Pritzker accused Trump of preparing “an invasion,” while Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson declared at a Labor Day rally: “No federal troops in the city of Chicago! No militarized force in the city of Chicago!” Johnson vowed to rally national opposition against the plan.
Judge warns of ‘national police force’
Trump’s latest comments came hours after a federal judge in San Francisco ruled his earlier use of the military in Los Angeles violated the law. District Judge Charles Breyer barred National Guard reservists and Marines from performing police duties and cautioned that Trump appeared intent on “creating a national police force with the President as its chief.”
The injunction takes effect on September 12, leaving a window for the conservative-leaning Supreme Court to intervene.
Protests and political fallout
As Chicago residents braced for possible troop deployment, protesters marched through the city in a “Workers over Billionaires” rally, voicing anger over Trump’s plans. Local leaders warned the move could heighten tensions rather than curb violence.
“We’re going in,” Trump told reporters, while suggesting Baltimore could be next. He rejected claims that he is targeting Democratic-run cities, insisting, “This isn’t a political thing. I have an obligation.”
Citing Chicago crime data, Trump said, “When 20 people are killed over the last two and a half weeks and 75 are shot with bullets, I have an obligation.”
President Trump on deploying the National Guard to Chicago: "Well, we're going in. I didn't say when. We're going in." pic.twitter.com/2aftAQqz0s
— CSPAN (@cspan) September 2, 2025
Truth Social tirade
Trump, who has already ordered Guard troops into Washington, DC, and Los Angeles in recent months, escalated his rhetoric on Truth Social, calling Chicago “the worst and most dangerous city in the World, by far.” He also blasted Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, writing, “He needs help badly, he just doesn’t know it yet,” before posting in all caps: “CHICAGO IS THE MURDER CAPITAL OF THE WORLD!”
Governor, mayor push back
Gov. Pritzker accused Trump of preparing “an invasion,” while Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson declared at a Labor Day rally: “No federal troops in the city of Chicago! No militarized force in the city of Chicago!” Johnson vowed to rally national opposition against the plan.
Judge warns of ‘national police force’
Trump’s latest comments came hours after a federal judge in San Francisco ruled his earlier use of the military in Los Angeles violated the law. District Judge Charles Breyer barred National Guard reservists and Marines from performing police duties and cautioned that Trump appeared intent on “creating a national police force with the President as its chief.”
The injunction takes effect on September 12, leaving a window for the conservative-leaning Supreme Court to intervene.
Protests and political fallout
As Chicago residents braced for possible troop deployment, protesters marched through the city in a “Workers over Billionaires” rally, voicing anger over Trump’s plans. Local leaders warned the move could heighten tensions rather than curb violence.
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