Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has criticized President Trump for potentially sending the national guard to Chicago after his D.C. crime crackdown, calling the approach “offensive.” Johnson criticized Trump’s uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound approach to the Windy City, stating that the city’s crime rates have been down. Trump has stated that he would send the National Guard to other Democrat-run cities, including Chicago.
The mayor argued that the unlawful deployment of national guard troops to Chicago would threaten to undermine the historic progress made in the city, which has reduced homicides by more than 30%, robberies by 35%, and shootings by almost 40% in the past year. Trump federalized the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department under the Home Rule Act and deployed 800 D.C. National Guardsmen to fight crime. On Tuesday, he doubled the number of National Guard troops patrolling the city, bringing the total up to almost 1,750 military personnel.
D.C. officials, especially Mayor Muriel Bowser, have criticized Trump’s crime policies, arguing that the crackdown on the city is about immigration and exerting power. Democrats across the country have criticized Trump’s crime policies, and Johnson emphasized that investing in housing, community safety, and education is the best way to reduce crime and violence in Chicago.