Chicago mayor calls Trump National Guard plan constitutional violation

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has strongly criticized President Donald Trump’s plan to send the National Guard to Chicago, calling it a “flagrant violation of our Constitution.” In a recent appearance on MSNBC’s “The Weekend,” Johnson expressed his concerns about the potential military occupation of the city.

“We need to invest in people to ensure that we can build safe and affordable communities. That’s what I’ve done as mayor since assuming office,” Johnson stated. “It’s unfortunate that this president is working to divide and conquer working families and cities across America.”

Trump announced his intention to send troops to Chicago after federal intervention efforts in Washington, D.C. are completed. However, Johnson emphasized that Chicago has not received any formal notice of law enforcement or military deployments and raised “grave concerns” about any unlawful actions.

He labeled the administration’s efforts as “uncoordinated, uncalled-for, and unsound,” pushing back against Trump’s accusations of incompetence. Johnson pointed out that crime rates in the city have decreased significantly in the past year, and federal intervention could erode the trust that has been built within the community.

As Chicago prepares for the possibility of military deployments, Johnson stated that he is in communication with counterparts at the county and state levels to evaluate legal options to protect the city from unconstitutional federal overreach. He reiterated that Chicago is not calling for a military occupation and will stand firm in protecting the rights of its residents.

The White House responded to criticism from blue city leaders like Johnson, suggesting that they focus on solving their own crime problems instead of criticizing the president’s efforts to improve safety. Chicago, known for its struggles with poverty and gang violence, has a crime rate above the national average. However, data from 2023 shows that several Illinois cities have higher violent crime rates than Chicago.

Overall, the debate over federal intervention in Chicago continues, with Johnson and other local leaders emphasizing the need to address crime and safety issues within the city while upholding constitutional rights and maintaining trust with the community.