The power struggle between President Donald Trump and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is no longer playing out behind closed doors. Their most recent clash revolves around Trump’s intention to deploy the National Guard in Chicago—a move that Pritzker and local officials have characterized as a dangerous overreach. The rationale isn’t as clear-cut as previous military deployments, like the operation in Los Angeles that centred on protecting federal property during heated protests. In Chicago, the White House’s plan lacks the same urgency, leading critics such as Mayor Brandon Johnson to decry it as a political occupation rather than a response to true emergency conditions.
Presidential authority for mobilizing the National Guard without state consent is restricted under Title 10 of the U.S. Code. The law only permits such intervention in cases of invasion, insurrection, or enforcing federal laws—none of which are presently applicable to Chicago, DC or Baltimore. Legal experts suggest that forcing deployment could trigger spirited opposition and significant court battles, echoing California’s challenge to Trump’s earlier deployment of troops in Los Angeles.
The landscape is further complicated by Pritzker’s public rebuke, which he delivered surrounded by city officials. “If this were happening anywhere else, we’d call it a brazen power grab,” he declared, highlighting the administration’s lack of communication with local leaders. At the same time, Trump’s executive order directed the Pentagon to form specialized National Guard units for dealing with civil unrest in all states, signaling a broader shift toward federal involvement in urban law enforcement. This raises big questions about democracy and the limits of military policing in American cities.
Crime Stats: Setting the Record Straight
Amid the politicized debate, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Data from the District of Columbia, where Trump’s federal maneuver began, reveals a city experiencing notable declines in crime. The Metropolitan Police Department’s numbers show total homicides down 15% this year, robberies decreased 31%, and violent crime overall fallen 27% from last year. Property crime and auto theft have also declined, resultantly challenging the narrative used to justify federal action.
Chicago’s crime statistics mirror the trend. As of August 2025, overall crime in the city is down 13% compared to 2024, with murders and robberies both dropping significantly. While serious incidents like mass shootings persist, they do not reflect a city in crisis or warrant military intervention. National trends support this picture, with major U.S. cities recording lower homicide rates in 2025 compared to previous years. The Council on Criminal Justice’s latest mid-year report found that most offenses are below pre-pandemic levels, and large homicide declines continue to concentrate in cities that previously saw the most violence.
Yet, concerns linger. Critics worry that federal troop deployments could undermine local control and escalate tensions instead of solving them. Illinois law further complicates matters, barring cooperation between local police and federal immigration operations, which some argue is the true motive behind Trump’s interest in Chicago’s public safety.
Read also: When Politics Crosses the Line
