"Trump expresses interest in visiting Chicago, following a stir over a 'war'-themed meme"
In a series of recent developments, President Donald Trump has signaled his intention to intervene in Chicago to address a perceived crime problem. This comes after a war of words over the weekend between Trump and Illinois leaders.
On Monday, Trump made these remarks at the Museum of the Bible, suggesting that the same federal takeover could be done in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. He posted a manipulated image and a caption referencing the Department of War and deportations on his social media platform, urging the people of Illinois to demand protection from crime in Chicago.
However, Trump has signaled that his administration may not send in troops without a request from state and local officials. This is in contrast to the deployment of thousands of National Guard troops to Los Angeles by the Trump administration in June, over the protests of Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. A federal judge recently ruled the use of federal troops in Los Angeles was illegal.
In Chicago, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched an expanded operation, targeting criminal illegal aliens who were protected by Governor JB Pritzker's sanctuary policies. Protests against Trump's threat to increase immigration enforcement and dispatch National Guard troops took place in Chicago on Saturday.
Democratic leaders in Illinois have criticized Trump's rhetoric, with New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch "revolted" by the idea of the National Guard on big city streets. Tisch stated that the NYPD can handle the situation without federal help.
It is important to note that ICE's operation in Boston is not directly related to the situation in Chicago. Trump later downplayed the threat, stating that they are not going to war, but will clean up cities.
The operation, dubbed "Midway Blitz," was announced on Monday by the Department of Homeland Security. However, Trump has yet to specify when he plans to deploy National Guard to Chicago. The implications of this threat and the response from state and local officials remain to be seen.
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