CHICAGO — Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has vocally opposed President Donald Trump’s suggestion to deploy federal troops to manage crime in Chicago, condemning the move as both unconstitutional and unamerican. Speaking at a news conference with Chicago's skyline as a backdrop, Pritzker dismissed the President’s threats as theatrical rather than practical measures aimed at public safety.

“We have crime like other cities do, but let’s be clear, we are actually in better shape than the 30 biggest cities across the United States,” Pritzker stated, emphasizing the political nature of Trump's actions. Despite Trump’s alarming rhetoric about making Chicago a target for federal intervention, Pritzker confirmed that no request for such assistance had been issued, nor had there been any official communication from the Trump administration.

The governor's comments followed Trump's remarks at a White House briefing where he labeled Chicago a "disaster" and hinted at a potential federal intrusion similar to previous National Guard deployments. Pritzker, along with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and other state officials, expressed readiness to contest any unauthorized federal actions in court.

In contrast, John Catanzara, leader of the Chicago Police Union, noted the department’s manpower deficit and expressed a need for additional forces. However, local leaders like Chicago Alderwoman Samantha Nugent raised concerns about the confusion that might arise from National Guard presence, emphasizing the established police command as the guiding authority.

The press conference also featured remarks from Mayor Johnson who criticized the federal focus on Chicago, attributing it to the city’s progressive stance on labor and immigration rather than actual crime statistics, which he noted were on the decline.

Over the weekend, former Chicago mayors Rahm Emanuel and Lori Lightfoot also voiced their objections, with Emanuel accusing Trump of using the deployment as a tactic to confront cities known for their sanctuary policies rather than addressing crime directly.

Trump’s comments about a group of African American "ladies" urging intervention in Chicago added another layer of controversy, reflecting broader criticisms of the local administration's handling of recent migrant influxes under Mayor Johnson.

As tensions between state and federal perspectives continue, Pritzker and other Illinois leaders remain firm in their stance to protect local governance and prevent what they view as an overreach by the Trump administration.