Here’s what’s being said now.
Chicago’s far-left Mayor Brandon Johnson exploded on national television Saturday, accusing President Donald Trump of “declaring war” on his city — all because the president deployed National Guard troops to stop the spiraling crime and chaos plaguing Chicago.
During an emotional interview on MSNBC, Johnson blasted Trump’s law-and-order stance after the president ordered troops to restore safety in Chicago’s most dangerous neighborhoods — and called for both Johnson and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) to be jailed for “failing to protect” federal agents and ICE officers operating in the city.
“The Chicago Mayor should be in jail for failing to protect ICE officers — and Governor Pritzker too!” Trump declared on Truth Social this week.
Trump’s crackdown follows years of violent crime, carjackings, and migrant-related incidents that have pushed Chicago to the brink. The president said the deployment was necessary to restore law and order where liberal leadership has repeatedly failed.
But instead of welcoming help, Johnson accused Trump of turning the federal government into a “privatized military.”
“Donald Trump has made it clear that he has declared war on the city of Chicago,” Johnson said. “He’s declared war against cities across this country. It’s unconstitutional, illegal, unnecessary, and dangerous.”
Johnson claimed federal immigration officers were “stoking violence,” pointing to confrontations involving tear gas and police injuries.
“They’ve shot and killed a man just outside the city,” he alleged. “They shot a woman last week, unleashed tear gas on our community and local police. Over two dozen officers were impacted.”
Chicago officials are now urging protesters not to “take the bait” and avoid violent clashes with federal troops — but many citizens believe Trump’s move was long overdue.
For years, Democrat leaders have let Chicago spiral into record-level violence, even as families flee for safer suburbs. Under Trump’s leadership, the federal government is finally stepping in to defend law-abiding Americans who just want to live without fear.
“The president is standing up for everyday Americans — while liberal mayors keep bowing to chaos,” one Chicago resident told local media.