The Pentagon is quietly laying the groundwork to send U.S. military forces — including thousands of National Guard troops — to Chicago as early as September 2025, according to a Washington Post report.
This move would fall in line with President Trump’s wider effort to restore law and order in cities plagued by rising homelessness, illegal immigration, and chronic crime. While the deployment of active-duty troops has also been discussed, that option is reportedly less likely at this stage.
Similar action is already underway elsewhere.
National Guard units are active in Washington, D.C., and Trump has already ordered 4,000 Guard members and 700 Marines to Los Angeles — overriding resistance from California officials.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker blasted the Chicago plan, claiming the White House never reached out and insisting there’s no emergency that would justify taking over the state’s National Guard. He accused the administration of “creating a crisis” to score political points.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson echoed the criticism. He called the proposed deployment illegal and unnecessary — especially, he argued, with violent crime (supposedly) dropping on his watch. Johnson also claimed federal intervention would erode public trust and undercut local policing strategies.
Mediaite continues:
In a statement, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said he has “grave concerns” about Trump sending the National Guard to his city.
“The problem with the President’s approach is that it is uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound,” Johnson said. “Unlawfully deploying the National Guard to Chicago has the potential to inflame tensions between residents and law enforcement when we know that trust between police and residents is foundational to building safer communities. An unlawful deployment would be unsustainable and would threaten to undermine the historic progress we have made.”
So far, the federal government has made no formal contact with Illinois leadership about the plan. State and city officials remain unified in opposition.
Legal questions are also piling up.
The use of federal troops on U.S. soil could run into roadblocks from the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits the military’s role in domestic law enforcement. Constitutional issues around state sovereignty could spark even more court battles.
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Then add LA , New Orleans, NYC, San Fran, Portland, Miami