Trump sends National Guard to Chicago – chaos or security?

Trump sends National Guard to Chicago – chaos or security?

The Pentagon plans to deploy the National Guard to Chicago as early as September. According to a report by the Vienna.at Several thousand members of this military reserve unit could be deployed. This information comes from the Washington Post report, which cites confidential officials. The White House and the Pentagon have so far refused to comment on the plans.

Amid organizational preparations, both Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed sharp criticism of US President Donald Trump. Pritzker accused Trump of causing chaos and planning authoritarian attacks. Trump had previously described Chicago as “chaos,” mocking the mayor.

Historical context and planned operations

The mobilization of the National Guard is part of a broader strategy that Trump is pursuing. Back in June, he sent 4,000 members of the California National Guard and 700 Marines to Los Angeles to supposedly curb crime there. The move followed violent protests following ICE raids, which also drew strong criticism from local leaders. Mayor Karen Bass and Gov. Gavin Newsom expressed concerns about the deployment.

The National Guard has a long history, dating back to the militias of 1636. It consists of the Army National Guard with around 325,000 troops and the Air National Guard with around 105,000 soldiers. Normally, control of the National Guard lies with the states, but the president can take command in special situations, such as a national emergency. This is how the National Guard is deployed under the orders of the President in Washington D.C. Area relatively direct and less controversial.

Controversies surrounding Trump's actions

Trump takes a controversial stance on deploying the National Guard in various cities. Critics, including Democratic governors, call his mobilization an alarming abuse of power. In the past, Trump most recently mobilized the National Guard during protests following the death of George Floyd in 2020. The deployment against a governor's wishes is highly unusual and is seen as a serious escalation reminiscent of previous political crises.

Police statistics also show no increase in crime in the affected cities. When asked whether Chicago would be next to be “fixed,” the public responded with concern. The military intervention therefore appears to be not only a response to the local situation, but could also be part of Trump's larger national strategy.