Trump declares no intent for war with Chicago, following the sharing of a foreshadowing meme.
In the bustling city of Chicago, tensions have been escalating as President Donald Trump has threatened to increase immigration enforcement actions. However, data from the FBI shows that cities like Chicago and Boston have lower crime rates than some red states, such as Memphis and St. Louis, contrary to Trump's claims.
Amidst these fears, communities are taking steps to protect themselves. A volunteer collective of local arts presenters and advocates raised over $46,000, while the Tenants Union FIBC held a fundraiser selling homemade food to support family members recently detained by ICE.
The state of Illinois has taken legal action to prevent the deployment of National Guard troops for actions such as arrests, searches, and riot control. Judge Breyer issued a court order prohibiting such actions, a decision reported around late August 2025. The judge initially suspended the restriction until a Friday to allow for an appeal.
The anticipated ICE operations have led to protests. Another protest took place north of Chicago on Saturday near the Naval Station Great Lakes, and a downtown rally and march was held in Chicago on Saturday evening. The Mexican Independence Day event El Grito Chicago was postponed due to ICE activity, and Aurora's new mayor, John Laesch, admitted it's been challenging to straddle the line between encouraging people to celebrate and keeping the community safe.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker have spoken out against Trump's actions towards Chicago. Pritzker criticized the President for threatening to go to war with the city, while Johnson pushed back against the proposed use of National Guard troops to support immigration enforcement actions in Chicago.
The White House "Border Czar" expects a surge of immigration enforcement actions in Chicago this week. In response, city and state officials have said they will immediately go to court if National Guard troops are deployed to Chicago. Many communities are also trying to educate people on how to deal with potential ICE raids. An event was held in Hermosa, offering education for residents on how to handle such situations.
Despite these efforts, video footage shows federal agents, wearing badges that say "ICE," arresting a man in Chicago, and at least 5 individuals have been confirmed detained on the Southwest Side of Chicago. President Trump, however, has stated that "we're not going to war" with Chicago.
As the situation continues to unfold, Chicago-area residents are responding with protest and community action, demonstrating a resilience that has become emblematic of the city.
