President Donald Trump has called for troops to be deployed in Chicago to address “murder and crime” throughout the city.
“The Miracle Mile Shopping Center in Chicago, once considered our Nation’s BEST, now has a more than 28% vacancy factor, and is ready to call it quits unless something is done about the murder and crime, which is prevalent throughout the City,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday morning.
“CALL IN THE TROOPS, FAST, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!”
Newsweek contacted the White House for comment by email outside of normal working hours.
Why It Matters
Chicago is one of the cities on Trump’s target list for the deployment of federal troops, arguing they are needed to restore order and reduce crime. The city’s Democratic leadership opposes the idea and says it can tackle crime itself.
In October, he also attempted to send the National Guard to Portland, Oregon, following protests near an ICE building, but the move faced legal challenges.
While Trump has argued that the troops are needed to stop violence, critics say he is exceeding his executive authority to illegally target areas controlled by Democrats.
What To Know
Trump has also not ruled out using the Insurrection Act in Chicago. This 19th-century statute, which is a combination of different laws enacted by Congress between 1792 and 1871, would allow the use of active duty military personnel to perform law-enforcement duties within the United States.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office in October, Trump said: “If you look at Chicago—Chicago is a great city where there’s a lot of crime, and if the governor can’t do the job, we’ll do the job. It’s all very simple.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker wrote on X in October: “Donald Trump’s administration is treating the people of this country as an adversary. It’s pushing the boundaries of its authority, terrorizing our communities, and disregarding all accountability. We will not meet intimidation with fear — we will meet it with truth.”
This is a developing article. More to follow.