Chicago Mayor condemns Trump’s military deployment plans in cities

In a striking rebuke, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has publicly denounced President Donald Trump’s intentions to deploy the National Guard to American cities, labeling him as unstable and urging congressional intervention.

The controversy erupted as Johnson criticized Trump’s remarks on military deployment during a CNN interview, while a major immigration enforcement operation targeting suspected gang members unfolded in Chicago on the same day, as Fox News reports.

On Tuesday, Johnson appeared on CNN with host Wolf Blitzer to address recent comments made by President Trump.

During the interview, Blitzer played a clip of Trump speaking to senior military officers at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.

In the footage, Trump declared that the National Guard would be sent to Chicago in the near future.

Mayor Slams Trump’s Dangerous Military Rhetoric

Johnson expressed deep concern over Trump’s statements, calling them alarming and inappropriate for a democratic society.

He argued that deploying armed troops to urban areas is unacceptable and goes against the principles of the nation.

“There’s no way that anyone in this country should be okay with armed militarized troops being sent to cities,” Johnson told Blitzer.

Unpacking the Call for Congressional Oversight

Further emphasizing his stance, Johnson insisted that Congress must step in to prevent such actions from taking place.

“This president is an unstable human being, and it’s right for this moment to check him,” he stated.

“And we’re calling on Congress to do its job,” Johnson added, pressing for immediate legislative response.

Military’s Role Questioned in Domestic Affairs

Johnson also highlighted the role of military personnel, noting their commitment to protect rather than confront American residents.

“These individuals, these brave women and men who signed up to serve and protect this country, they do not do it with being deployed against American citizens and residents in mind,” he said.

He described Trump’s approach as a severe threat, stating, “This is not only appalling, but this is, quite frankly, an egregious attempt to undermine the sanctity of our democracy.”

Massive Immigration Raid Shakes Chicago Streets

Meanwhile, on the same day as Johnson’s interview, a significant federal operation took place in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood.

Hundreds of agents, nearly 300 in total, conducted a targeted immigration enforcement action aimed at suspected members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

The FBI confirmed their involvement to Fox 32 Chicago, noting that they assisted U.S. Border Patrol during the raid, which saw two dozen individuals taken into custody.

Dramatic Scenes Unfold During Gang Crackdown

Footage from the operation captured intense moments, with agents surrounding an apartment building while a helicopter positioned snipers on the roof.

According to Fox News senior correspondent Mike Tobin, six individuals linked to the gang were the primary targets of this large-scale effort.

This operation follows a pattern, as the Trump administration has previously sent National Guard units to cities like Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., for similar crime and deportation initiatives.

State and Federal Tensions Rise Over Troops

The day before the raid, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker revealed that the Department of Homeland Security had requested the deployment of 100 military troops to the state.

This request adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing debate over the use of military forces in domestic settings.

As tensions rise between local leaders and federal authorities, Johnson’s outspoken criticism underscores a broader concern about the direction of federal policy in American cities.