CHICAGO (WLS) — As Chicago anticipates a possible National Guard deployment initiated by President Donald Trump, Democratic leaders are denouncing the plan and raising questions about its legality.
In a united front, local leaders said National Guard troops are not needed in Chicago.
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Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor Pritzker said there has been no communication from the White House.
President Trump has issued an executive order designed to form specialized National Guard units focused on managing civil disturbances and ensuring public safety, ready for swift nationwide deployment.
ABC7 data team analysis of Chicago police crime numbers shows overall violent crime and homicides at their lowest level since 2014.
SEE ALSO: Illinois politicians condemn Trump’s threat to deploy National Guard to Chicago
Governor Pritzker said National Guard deployment is unwarranted, while some Republicans believe it could make a difference.
“The president of the United States is doing this for theatrics,” stated the Democratic governor. “This is not because we’ve requested it. It is not because there is some justice that he is going to seek. It is because he wants to create chaos.”
“We should have done this a long time ago so that every neighborhood in Chicago enjoys the same safety and security that we have in the suburbs,” commented Republican state Rep. Martin McLaughlin.
According to constitutional experts, the president can only nationalize the guard in cases of rebellion, foreign invasion, or when it is impossible to enforce federal laws.
“So we’ve had guardsmen in the street before, but they were ordered in by the governor… and traditionally and the statute says the governor has to give the order, which makes sense because guardsmen usually respond to natural disasters like floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and fires,” explained Chicago Kent College of Law professor Douglas William Godfrey.
Local officials have threatened to take legal action, but that like would come after deployment.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said there challenges with filing a preemptive lawsuit
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