WASHINGTON — House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Tuesday sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago, accusing him of “manufacturing a crisis” to justify federal intervention without the consent of local leaders.
The comments come just days after Trump signaled Chicago would be “next” in his administration’s series of federal crime crackdowns, following the deployment of more than 1,900 National Guard troops in Washington, D.C.
Trump’s Federal Crime Crackdown
Trump has framed the deployments as a necessary response to crime in major cities, claiming the federal presence in Washington produced a weeklong stretch without homicides. At a White House briefing last week, Trump suggested he would take similar action in Chicago and later New York, warning that “unsafe cities” would face direct federal involvement if local leaders failed to act.
The White House has argued that such measures fall under the president’s powers to declare a national emergency. However, critics say Trump risks overstepping legal limits, particularly given that Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have not requested federal troops.
Jeffries Pushes Back
Jeffries, speaking at the Capitol, accused Trump of exploiting public fears for political gain.
“The president is playing games with the lives of Americans. He’s manufacturing a crisis in order to justify forceful federal intervention in our communities,” Jeffries said.
He warned that unauthorized deployments could inflame tensions between residents and law enforcement, undermining trust rather than improving safety.
Jeffries’ comments echoed concerns raised by Johnson, who said any federal deployment would be “uncalled for and unsound” and risk escalating tensions.
Legal and Political Questions
The potential Chicago deployment raises questions about the scope of presidential authority under the Insurrection Act and related statutes. Normally, governors must request federal military assistance before troops can be sent into a state. Exceptions exist if the president declares an insurrection or invokes certain emergency powers, but such moves are rare and often challenged in court.
Legal experts note that Chicago, unlike Washington, D.C., cannot be federalized in the same way. “The constitutional issues here are more complicated than in the District,” said Deborah Pearlstein, a constitutional law professor at Princeton University. “Sending troops without state consent would likely be contested immediately.”
Community and Political Reaction
Community leaders in Chicago expressed concern that a federal presence could strain already fragile police-community relations. Civil rights groups urged investment in violence prevention programs and community policing instead.
Illinois Gov. Pritzker called the move an “authoritarian overreach,” warning it could destabilize existing public safety efforts. He pledged to challenge any troop deployment made without state approval.
Meanwhile, Trump supporters praised the proposal as a strong step against violent crime, pointing to recent shootings in Chicago neighborhoods as evidence of failed local leadership.
What Comes Next
As of Tuesday, the Department of Defense had not confirmed any troop movements toward Chicago. Pentagon officials said any such deployment would need to follow established legal frameworks and coordination with local authorities.
With Congress returning from recess, Democrats are expected to press for hearings on Trump’s federal crackdown policies. Jeffries said the House Democratic caucus will push for oversight of any planned deployments, emphasizing that public safety “cannot come at the cost of constitutional norms.”