Trump Eyes Chicago for Federal Crime Action

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President Donald Trump announced plans to expand federal involvement in addressing crime in major U.S. cities, naming Chicago as the next target for intervention. Speaking from the Oval Office on Friday, Trump pointed to the recent National Guard and federal law enforcement deployment in Washington, D.C., as a model for future action.

“The National Guard has done such an incredible job working with the police,” Trump said. “After we do this, we’ll go to another location, and we’ll make it safe also. We’re going to make our cities very, very safe.”

Trump argued that Chicago faces persistent public safety problems and claimed that residents were calling for federal support. However, Chicago officials said no formal request for federal assistance has been made. Vice President JD Vance echoed Trump’s remarks, saying public frustration with crime has fueled demands for stronger intervention.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson rejected Trump’s comments, insisting the city had not been consulted. “Stay out of our city,” Johnson said. “Any unlawful deployment of National Guard troops would be uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound.” He warned such action could escalate tensions and undermine trust between residents and law enforcement.

Trump cited the Chicago Police Department statistics to support his case. Data show overall crime in the city has fallen 13% compared with 2024, with 59,206 incidents reported this year versus 68,165 last year. Murders are down 31%, and robberies have declined 33% year-over-year. However, CPD figures also indicate that total crime remains 40% higher than in 2021, despite declines in homicides and robberies over that period.

The president also mentioned New York City, although he did not detail specific plans. NYPD data show a 4.7% decline in overall crime compared with 2024, continuing a downward trend in violent and property crime.

In Washington, D.C., Trump has repeatedly criticized Mayor Muriel Bowser’s leadership while citing a 26% drop in violent crime since 2024, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. He has described the combined use of federal officers and National Guard personnel in the capital as a successful model for restoring public safety.

Trump’s comments highlight his continued emphasis on federal oversight in crime policy, while city leaders argue that unilateral deployments risk heightening community tensions. The debate underscores ongoing conflict between the White House and local officials over the role of federal authority in addressing urban crime.