A political fight is heating up over President Donald Trump’s push to send federal forces into Chicago to crack down on crime and immigration. On Sunday, both the White House and Illinois
leaders doubled down on their positions, raising the stakes in what could become a major showdown.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, speaking on CBS’ Face the Nation, confirmed that federal immigration enforcement in Chicago and elsewhere will be ramped up. She stopped short of giving details but noted that Trump himself would decide whether to send in the National Guard.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, also appearing on the program, painted a much darker picture. He warned that Trump isn’t just targeting crime but could be laying the groundwork to interfere with the 2026 midterm elections.
“He’d like to stop the elections or take them over,” Pritzker claimed. “All he has to do is say there’s some kind of problem and then use troops to control it.”
The White House quickly fired back. Press secretary Abigail Jackson accused Pritzker of failing to keep Chicago safe. “Chicago’s residents would be much safer if Pritzker did his job instead of trying to be a Resistance hero,” she said.
Trump has long zeroed in on Chicago as a symbol of what he calls failed Democratic leadership. While city data shows most types of violent crime have dropped this year, Trump insists the city needs federal intervention. His recent actions in Washington, D.C.—where he deployed the National Guard, flooded the streets with federal officers, and even took control of the local police—sparked strong backlash from local officials and residents.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is already pushing back. On Saturday, he signed an executive order making it clear that city police will not cooperate with National Guard or federal operations.
Supporters of Trump’s approach point to Los Angeles as proof it works. Noem argued that Trump’s decision to send troops there earlier this summer “saved” the city. “L.A. wouldn’t be standing today if he hadn’t acted,” she said. California Governor Gavin Newsom, however, blasted the move as intentionally inflammatory.
Meanwhile, military leaders have reportedly raised their own concerns behind the scenes. Some have questioned whether the troops being sent into U.S. cities are properly trained for policing roles—and warned that the political and social risks of such deployments could be severe. Photo by xiquinhosilva, Wikimedia commons.
