A representative from Illinois of the Democratic Party has criticized President Donald Trump’s proposal to deploy the National Guard in Chicago to address crime, labeling it as ineffective and a mere spectacle. Despite Trump’s justification for deploying troops in Washington D.C. due to high crime rates, local police data indicates a decrease in violent crimes to a 30-year low in 2024.
Trump has considered sending troops to other Democratic-governed cities like Chicago and Maryland, emphasizing the need for assistance in Chicago to combat its perceived crisis. In response, Jesús (Chuy) García, a Democratic representative from Chicago, strongly opposes Trump’s plan, highlighting that it is not about public safety but rather a display of power with authoritarian undertones.
When questioned about the crime situation in Chicago, García refutes Trump’s characterization of the city as a “killing field” and points out significant reductions in serious crimes over recent years. While acknowledging the previous high crime rates, García stresses the ongoing progress in enhancing public safety, emphasizing that deploying the National Guard is not a suitable solution and is part of Trump’s political strategy.
In light of Trump’s political motives and distractions, García underscores the opposition in Illinois to the National Guard mobilization, indicating readiness to explore legal avenues to prevent it. Peaceful demonstrations are also considered as a potential response to any attempts to deploy the Guard, echoing similar actions taken in California against military mobilization.