Chicago's mayor assertively addresses President Trump, expressing opposition to the deployment of tanks within city streets
In a surprising turn of events, Brandon Johnson, the mayor of Chicago, has expressed concerns about a potential militarized intervention by the US government under President Donald Trump in the city. Johnson, who has been vocal about his opposition to such action, stated that he had received credible reports indicating that cities could be confronted with military activities by the Trump administration within days, not weeks.
The concerns come as Trump has activated the National Guard and placed the police under federal control in Washington, following his description of the city as a "rat hole." The National Guard is indeed deployed in Washington, but not with tanks, contrary to some speculations.
However, unlike in Washington, the police in Chicago are not to collaborate with the military on patrols, according to Johnson's decree. Johnson has also signed a decree instructing all city departments to protect residents from federal measures.
Trump's analysis of crime in Washington contradicts statistics, and as of the current paragraph, he has not indicated any plans to intervene militarily in Chicago. This is in contrast to his intentions in Washington, where he wants to use the National Guard to combat what he sees as rampant crime.
Meanwhile, ICE deployments have already taken place in Chicago, the US state of Illinois, and other US states. US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced further deployments of the ICE immigration agency, with additional resources for these deployments being planned. Raids against migrants are taking place in some parts of Washington, but ICE deployments in the city have not been mentioned as of yet.
Johnson has called on President Trump to change course, warning against the deployment of the National Guard in Chicago's streets. He is not alone in his opposition, as many cities and mayors across the US are watching these developments with growing apprehension.
