Pritzker Warns Trump Against Deploying National Guard to Chicago

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) sharply condemned President Donald Trump’s threats to send National Guard troops to Chicago on Monday. Surrounded by Democratic lawmakers and community leaders, including Senator Tammy Duckworth and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Pritzker said, “Mr. President, do not come to Chicago. You are neither wanted here nor needed here.”

Federal Intervention Sparks Pushback

Pritzker’s remarks follow a Washington Post report revealing that the Pentagon has been preparing to deploy troops to Chicago for weeks. Last Friday, Trump suggested Chicago might be the next city to see federal intervention after sending the National Guard to Washington, D.C., citing a supposed crackdown on crime.

Both Pritzker and Mayor Johnson emphasized that Chicago never requested federal assistance. “We have made no requests for federal intervention. None,” Pritzker stressed, pointing out that crime in Chicago has dropped significantly compared to last year.

Crime Rates Actually Declining

Data from the city and police department shows overall violent crime in Chicago has fallen roughly 22% from 2024 levels. Homicides, robberies, and other incidents have all decreased noticeably.

Pritzker also questioned why Trump targeted Chicago when cities in Republican-led states, like Memphis, Tennessee, have higher crime rates. She argued that this shows the action is politically motivated.

Political Motives Over Public Safety

“This is not about fighting crime,” Pritzker said. “This is about Donald Trump searching for any justification to deploy the military in a blue city in a blue state to intimidate his political rivals.”

She also called on Republican governors who might provide National Guard troops for Chicago to consider how they would be failing their constituents and their country by participating.

White House Pushback

A White House spokesperson insisted the National Guard deployment focuses on crime. “If these Democrats spent half as much time addressing crime in their cities as they did going on cable news to complain about President Trump, their residents would be a lot safer,” spokesperson Abigail Jackson said.

Rising Democratic Resistance

Pritzker’s fiery response comes as Democrats nationwide increasingly resist Trump’s policies, refusing to comply with his immigration enforcement directives or accept partisan redistricting without pushback.