WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Friday that Chicago will be the next city targeted in his federal crime crackdown, drawing sharp criticism from Democrats and local officials who warned that the move would deepen political tensions and undermine public safety.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump declared that his administration was preparing to expand the same approach it has used in Washington, D.C., to the nation’s third-largest city. He claimed the mobilization of National Guard troops in the capital had driven down crime and could serve as a model for other major urban centers.
“We’ll straighten that one out, probably next,” Trump said of Chicago. “That will be our next one after this, and then we’ll help with New York.”
Critics Accuse Trump of Political Gamesmanship
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries blasted the president, accusing him of “playing games with American lives” by attempting to score political points through a show of force in cities led by Democrats.
“This is not about public safety. It’s about political theater and power,” Jeffries said during a press briefing, echoing concerns that Trump’s strategy represents a dangerous encroachment on local authority.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also rejected Trump’s assertions, noting that violent crime in the city has fallen over the past year. “We take President Trump’s statements seriously,” Johnson said in a statement, “but to be clear, the City has not received any formal communication from the Trump administration regarding additional federal law enforcement or military deployments to Chicago.”
Johnson added that Chicago had already seen “significant reductions” in homicides, robberies, and shootings, and warned that a federalized military presence would erode trust between residents and law enforcement.
National Guard Deployment Raises Constitutional Questions
The remarks came as Trump touted what he described as a “miracle” in Washington — a week without murders following his deployment of federal troops and a temporary takeover of the city’s police force. He said he could keep Guard members in place “as long as I want” by declaring a national emergency.
Legal experts, however, noted that the District of Columbia’s Home Rule Act only allows the federal government to seize control of the Metropolitan Police Department for up to 30 days without congressional approval. After that, lawmakers would need to authorize any extension of federal control (DC Council).
“It’s one thing to bring in the Guard during an emergency. It’s another thing to maintain a military occupation in a city against the wishes of its elected officials,” said Mary Cheh, a former D.C. councilmember and professor of law.
Illinois Officials Push Back
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker joined the chorus of opposition, accusing Trump of using major cities as “testing grounds for authoritarian overreach.” In a statement on X, the governor said the president was seeking to “incite fear in our communities and destabilize existing public safety efforts — all to create a justification to further abuse his power.”
Trump, for his part, dismissed polling that shows most D.C. residents disapprove of the deployment of federal troops, calling the surveys “fake news.” He insisted that Chicago residents are calling for him to act.
“They’re wearing red hats, African American ladies, beautiful ladies, are saying, ‘Please, President Trump, come to Chicago,’” Trump claimed.
What Comes Next
It remains unclear how Trump’s plan for Chicago would be implemented. Unlike Washington, Chicago is not under federal jurisdiction, raising questions about the legal and logistical feasibility of deploying troops there without the state’s consent.
Trump suggested he was willing to request $2 billion in federal funding to bolster law enforcement and “beautify” the District of Columbia, adding that congressional leaders had signaled support.
For now, the White House has provided no formal plan to Chicago officials, leaving residents and state leaders bracing for what could become another flashpoint in the ongoing battle over crime, policing, and presidential power.