Illinois Gov. Pritzker Fights Trump’s Depiction of Chicago, Resists National Guard Deployment

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker fights federal intervention in the face of immigration agents and possible National Guard deployment

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker broadcasted normal Chicago life on social media and media interviews, to counter Donald Trump’s allegations on Truth Social of Chicago being the “worst and most dangerous city in the World”. Pritzker held a press conference featuring Trump’s Chicago hotel, to refute the president’s attack on Chicago.

Democratic leaders from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., to Baltimore are combating the White House’s threats to deploy National Guard troops in their states. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson highlighted the Trump administration’s cut in public safety funding including a massive grant cancellation impacting city anti-violence programs.

Johnson criticized lax regulations in red states enabling the flow of firearms into Chicago. He questioned Trump’s budget cuts to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the agency responsible for getting guns off the city’s streets, which included a significant 30% cut.

Despite crime decrease in cities targeted by Trump, Democratic leaders have been tweaking their messages to avoid seeming dismissive of crime issues and rejecting federal help. This week, Trump suggested deploying National Guard troops to New Orleans, indicating the strategy of focusing on Trump’s target on blue states is working.

In Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser has been balancing collaboration with Trump’s administration while reassuring the city council. Despite initial perception of siding with Trump, Bowser clarified that she was finding an exit strategy for the National Guard presence in the city. D.C. is now challenging the White House’s move in court.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been battling Trump’s deployment of federal law enforcement since June. After Trump’s declaration of emergency and aggressive immigration raids, Newsom has contested Trump’s actions in court and the public has been footing the $120 million bill for deployment. In a speech, Newsom highlighted the situation’s unraveling due to immigration raids, protests and the National Guard deployment.

Pritzker continues to fight against Trump’s potential overreach, including potential National Guard deployment, which he refers to as an “invasion”.Pritzker said this week. Chicago continues to struggle with crime, but a WBEZ analysis found that this summer, Chicago had the fewest murders since 1965.