President Donald Trump says he’s ready to send federal law enforcement into Chicago and Baltimore to crack down on crime — and he’s not waiting for an invitation.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump was asked about deploying National Guard troops to Chicago, the nation’s third‑largest city. His answer: “We’re going in” — though he didn’t give a timeline.
“I have an obligation. This isn’t a political thing,” Trump said.
Pushback From Illinois Leaders
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, widely seen as a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender, dismissed the idea of federal troops in Chicago, calling it unnecessary and unwanted.
Trump has already sent National Guard troops to Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., where he also federalized the police force. He’s signaled similar plans for other Democrat‑run cities — even as a federal judge ruled the California deployment illegal on Tuesday.
While praising Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser for cooperating with federal forces, Trump again blasted Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. He said he’d “love” for Pritzker to call and request troops — but made clear he’ll act regardless.
“We’re going to do it anyway. We have the right to do it,” Trump said.
Pritzker called Trump’s remarks “unhinged” and repeated that he will not ask for federal troops. The two have traded sharp words for days, with Trump labeling Chicago “the world’s most dangerous city” earlier Tuesday.
First Signs of Federal Action
According to Pritzker, Illinois officials first heard of the plan on Saturday, when the head of the Illinois State Police got a call from a Border Patrol chief in California saying immigration agents would be sent to Chicago. No further details were given.
The governor urged residents to stay calm but remain vigilant — advising them to record and share any interactions with federal agents.
“Authoritarians thrive on your silence. Be loud for America,” Pritzker said.
Activists, pastors, schools, and community groups are already preparing for protests. Chicago Public Schools warned parents that the possibility of more federal agents is creating “anxiety and fear” about safety in schools and neighborhoods.
Dozens of pastors also published an open letter to Trump, arguing that violence stems from underfunded schools, unemployment, and lack of healthcare and food.
Chicago’s Crime Picture
Mayor Johnson said the city’s violence problem is fueled by guns trafficked from neighboring states like Republican‑led Indiana.
While Chicago’s homicide rate was 21.7 per 100,000 residents in 2024 — with 573 homicides, the most of any U.S. city — violent crime has dropped sharply in 2025. Shootings and homicides are down more than 30% in the first half of the year, marking the steepest decline in over a decade.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said the state will sue once federal intervention begins, calling Trump’s plan “purely performative.”
Baltimore Also in Trump’s Sights
Trump said his “obligation to protect this country” extends to Baltimore, where local leaders and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore also oppose federal intervention.
Pointing to Washington, D.C., Trump claimed the city is now “a safe zone” thanks to federal action. The White House said more than 1,650 people have been arrested since the mobilization began on Aug. 7.
“We’re really proud of” the results in Washington, Trump said.
