CHICAGO – President Donald Trump said Tuesday he will deploy the National Guard to Chicago to curb violent crime but gave no timetable.
What we know:
Trump, speaking at a press conference, criticized Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker for rejecting federal intervention and pointed to a series of recent shootings in the city over Labor Day weekend.
“I didn’t say when but the answer is.. Look, Chicago is very interesting because I watched Pritzker get up and say ‘We don’t need help. We’re safe,'” Trump said. “But two weeks ago they had six people murdered and they had 24 people hit by bullets. Last week, as you know, was 7 people, 24 people hit, and seven people died. Over the last two days, that was the crown jewel. They had, I guess, 9 or 10 killed, and 50 hit with bullets.”
The remarks follow a violent Labor Day weekend in Chicago that left at least eight people dead and 48 wounded by gunfire, according to police.
Earlier Tuesday, Trump posted on Truth Social that Pritzker “better straighten it out fast or we’re coming.”
He repeated that message at the press conference, adding that he has both the authority and responsibility to act.
“We’re going to do it anyway. We have the right to do it because I have an obligation to protect this country,” Trump said.
The president also broadened his criticism to include other Democratic-led states, calling Chicago, Baltimore and parts of Los Angeles “hellholes.”
Pritzker Warns Chicago:
Gov. J.B. Pritzker held a press conference shortly after former President Trump’s media address, confirming that Guard troops and ICE agents are set to deploy to Chicago.
According to Pritzker, the head of the Illinois State Police received a call from CBP’s chief patrol agent notifying him of ICE’s deployment. He added that he has also gathered information from other officials indicating Trump’s plan to send armed military personnel into the city.
He also said he’s gathered information from other officials about Trump’s plan to deploy armed military personnel to the streets of Chicago.
“In the coming days, we expect to see what has played out in Los Angeles and in Washington D.C. to play out in Chicago,” Pritzker said.
The governor warned that armed federal agents and military vehicles will soon be visible on Chicago’s streets, with many troops reportedly being moved from Los Angeles to Chicago. He said staging likely began Monday and continued into Tuesday.
“Terror and cruelty is the point, not the safety of anyone living here,” Pritzker said.
Pritzker further noted he has “reason to believe” the Texas National Guard is also preparing to deploy to Chicago. He vowed to challenge troop deployments in court.
In the meantime, he urged Chicagoans to look out for their neighbors and support their communities as the city faces what he called Trump’s threat.
This is a developing story and we’ll bring more updates as they become available.