Photo: Alamy
A political standoff is brewing between President Donald Trump and Illinois Democrats after Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order Saturday opposing the president’s plan to send federal troops to the city to combat crime and illegal immigration.
The “Protecting Chicago” order directs city departments to resist federal enforcement efforts that conflict with local policy and pledges legal action to stop “any attempts to systematically violate the rights of Chicagoans.” It specifically targets Immigration and Customs Enforcement, requiring federal officers to identify themselves by badge number and agency and banning them from wearing masks during arrests.
Johnson said he expects federal forces could arrive in the city as soon as Sept. 5.
“We have received credible reports that we have days, not weeks, before our city sees some type of militarized activity by the federal government,” he told reporters. “(Trump) could change his mind. He could reverse course. In fact, I encourage him to do that.”
The mayor argued that federal deployment would worsen tensions rather than reduce violence.
“The deployment of federal military forces in Chicago without the consent of local authorities undermines democratic norms, violates the City’s sovereignty, threatens civil liberties, and risks escalating violence rather than securing the peace,” the order said.
Johnson warned that the measures could turn the city into “a war zone” and vowed to resist.
“The City of Chicago will do everything in our power to defend our democracy and protect our communities. With this executive order, we send a resounding message to the federal government: We do not need, nor want, an unconstitutional and illegal military occupation of our city. We do not want military checkpoints or armored vehicles on our streets, and we do not want to see families ripped apart.”
The directive bars Chicago police from joining joint patrols or immigration enforcement operations with federal agents, military personnel or National Guard units.
The White House dismissed the mayor’s action as “a publicity stunt,” pointing to Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser’s support for a surge of federal officers and National Guard troops earlier this month. Administration officials credited that deployment with a sharp drop in violent crime, including a 50 percent decrease in homicides over 11 days.
Trump weighed in Saturday on Truth Social, blasting Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. “Six people were killed, and 24 people were shot, in Chicago last weekend, and JB Pritzker, the weak and pathetic Governor of Illinois, just said that he doesn’t need help in preventing CRIME. He is CRAZY!!! He better straighten it out, FAST, or we’re coming! MAGA. President DJT,” Trump wrote.
Pritzker has called the idea of sending military forces to Illinois “an invasion.” Both he and Johnson said they have yet to receive formal notice from the White House about a deployment