Chicago has found itself in the political crosshairs of the Trump administration.
President Donald Trump referred to the city as a “hellhole” in response to violence over Labor Day Weekend. Although crime rates have dropped in Chicago since a spike in 2020, Trump vowed on Sept. 2 to send the National Guard into the city.
From the beginning of his presidency, the Trump administration has taken extreme measures in every decision made. The last matter of this administration is the well-being of America, as citizens are detained and have their rights stripped away every single day.
To begin, it is illegal under the Posse Comitatus Act to generally use federal troops for domestic policing under normal circumstances. Trump argues the violence in Chicago is suddenly “not normal,” and is reaching for a scare tactic over actual solutions. Sending military force would normalize soldiers in our cities, regardless of the situation. It is extraordinarily harmful and a blatant assault on civil liberties.
In addition to the troops being stationed in Chicago, citizens, mainly in minority groups, are bracing for increased raids.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker warned Chicago residents to prepare for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids as suspicions were raised about the timing. Mexican Independence Day celebrations are scheduled to take place, but some, including El Grito Chicago, have been rescheduled for a later date in September due to safety concerns.
The postponement of the celebrations draws attention to the results of devastating ICE raids. Families, friends andcommunities of all ages are separated with no hesitation from agents as they actively target minority communities gathered at large cultural events.
This potential deployment of troops in Chicago and the increase in ICE agents are some of the most concerning actions that could ever occur under the Trump administration. This is absolutely not a matter of “reducing violence,” it is a direct target to raid communities when they will be found in large numbers.
These citizens are not gathering to rebel; they are not scheming or planning any form of violence. They are coming together to celebrate their freedom — grateful to have made it to a country where they once deemed safe.
And now, they will wait: Frustrated and scared for the future of their lives, but patiently. They will hide, perhaps avoid any celebrations altogether, to protect themselves from the violence they risk facing when trying to celebrate something every individual should be guaranteed: Independence.
Chicago must continue to push back against the new normal of the usage of troops in place of police. It is truly disheartening to watch minority groups and all citizens of the city brace for impact when they should be preparing for celebration, not hiding in fear, in a place that must stand for the dignity and rights of all its people.
VIVI HUGHES is an Assistant News Editor. Hughes can be reached at vthughe@ilstu.edu.
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