Photo: Alamy
President Trump is pushing to combat violence in the city of Chicago. On Tuesday, Trump shared a post on Truth Social calling for action.
“The Miracle Mile Shopping Center in Chicago, once considered our Nation’s BEST, now has a more than 28% vacancy factor, and is ready to call it quits unless something is done about the murder and crime, which is prevalent throughout the City,” President Trump said. “CALL IN THE TROOPS, FAST, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!”
Chicago has seen a rise both in violent crime and unrest as anti-ICE protests have increased in the city. The protests against ICE have posed danger for federal officers, including incidents of protestors throwing bricks and paint cans at Border Patrol Vehicles.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has countered media narratives characterizing Border Patrol as the instigator of violence against protestors. Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin recently pushed back against Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, pointing out that violent protests put both rioters and law enforcement officers at risk.
President Trump has repeatedly pushed for federal intervention to control crime within the city. The state of Illinois and the city of Chicago have sued the administration to prevent the use of National Guard forces. Although a lower Federal Court issued an injunction preventing the Trump administration from deploying the National Guard, the administration has filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court to stay the injunction and allow the deployment of troops.
On Monday, Trump administration lawyers argued that deployment of the National Guard is within the scope of the President’s executive authority. In a letter to the court, Solicitor General John Sauer stated President Trump is authorized under Section 12406 of the federal code which provides the President may utilize the National Guard when “regular forces” are unable to enact federal law. Sauer characterized the deployment as “a reasonable exercise of the President’s discretion.”
Sauer also distinguished between the National Guard and U.S. armed forces, saying National Guardsmen are “civilians temporarily called up to serve with deep experience in deescalating domestic disturbances among their fellow citizens, rather than the standing military, whose primary function is to win wars by deploying lethal force against foreign enemies.”
The State of Illinois and the city of Chicago, as plaintiffs in the case, are expected to submit a response to Sauer’s letter next week.