Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani have issued sharp statements condemning Donald Trump’s escalating threats to deploy federal forces into Democratic-led cities like Chicago and New York. Both leaders argue that this is not about public safety, but about Trump using the machinery of government as a political weapon.
Mamdani warned that even if such deployments are legally questionable, Trump might still attempt them. In his words: “We cannot try to convince ourselves that because something is illegal, Donald Trump will not do it.”
Pritzker was equally forceful, describing Trump as a “wannabe dictator” after Trump posted a parody Apocalypse Now image alongside threats to unleash his so-called “Department of War” on Chicago. Pritzker emphasized that the president is “threatening to go to war with an American city” and vowed that Illinois would not be intimidated.
Meanwhile, protests broke out in downtown Chicago against an expected expansion of ICE operations. Reports indicated that around 300 federal agents were already using the North Chicago Naval Station as a base. Trump has claimed these actions are necessary because of “out of control” crime, but data tells a different story. According to the BBC, violent crime in Chicago actually fell by 11% in 2024 compared to the previous year, continuing a broader downward trend.
Despite this, Trump continues to suggest sending National Guard troops not only to Chicago, but also to other Democratic strongholds such as Los Angeles, Baltimore, New Orleans, Portland, and even Washington, D.C., where he has already stationed forces.
The backlash is mounting. Legal challenges are expected from both state and municipal officials, and Pritzker, considered a potential 2028 presidential contender, has positioned himself at the forefront of opposition. He stressed that Trump’s threats are not “normal politics,” but a dangerous attempt to consolidate power.
The White House, however, has defended the moves. A spokesperson said these actions represent “the execution of the most consequential administration in American history,” claiming they reflect Trump’s mandate to put America first.
This standoff highlights a growing clash between Trump’s expanded use of federal authority and Democratic leaders’ warnings that such actions undermine constitutional limits and civil liberties. With lawsuits, protests, and political pushback building, the battle over federal troops in U.S. cities is likely to intensify in the weeks ahead.
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