Over Labor Day weekend, at least 54 people were shot in Chicago, seven fatally, according to NBC Chicago. The spike in violence reignited tensions between city leaders and President Trump, who has proposed deploying federal forces to assist with public safety. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, both Democrats, rejected that offer, accusing the president of federal overreach.
In response, Mayor Johnson signed an executive order barring city police from cooperating with federal agents or the National Guard. “We do not want to see tanks in our streets,” Johnson said. “We will protect our Constitution, we will protect our city, and we will protect our people.” The order prohibits local officers from participating in immigration enforcement or joint patrols and requires officers to display department insignia to maintain transparency.
The White House condemned the move, with spokeswoman Abigail Jackson accusing Democrats of politicizing crime. “If these Democrats focused on fixing crime in their own cities instead of doing publicity stunts to criticize the President, their communities would be much safer,” she said. The administration argues that the deployment of federal assistance is a lawful effort to reduce crime and enforce immigration laws.
Chicago continues to struggle with gun violence, with 272 homicides reported so far this year, including 225 fatal shootings. Similar surges occurred over the Fourth of July and Memorial Day weekends, highlighting persistent public safety challenges in the city.
Trump has previously sent federal agents to cities like Washington, D.C., and hinted at broader deployment. As midterms approach, Democrats risk being perceived as soft on crime while resisting federal aid—creating a political standoff that may test voters’ patience and priorities.
