The Pentagon is quietly drafting plans for a potential National Guard deployment in Chicago, a senior U.S. official confirmed on Sunday. The revelation has sparked immediate political backlash from Illinois leaders and city officials, who say the move is unnecessary, unconstitutional, and a dangerous overreach by the federal government.

According to The Washington Post, discussions about sending federal troops to Chicago have been underway for weeks. Options reportedly include deploying several thousand Guard members as early as September. The reported goal: to curb crime, address homelessness, and crack down on illegal immigration.

A Pentagon spokesperson would not confirm specific operational details but emphasized the Department’s planning responsibilities.

“We won’t speculate on further operations. The Department is a planning organization and is continuously working with other agency partners on plans to protect federal assets and personnel,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

Story Highlights

• Pentagon drafting plans for National Guard use in Chicago.

• Deployment could involve thousands of troops as early as September.

• Mayor Brandon Johnson calls the move “costly, illegal, and unconstitutional.”

• Trump says Chicago will “likely be next” after Washington, D.C. deployment.

• Crime in Chicago has dropped significantly, city data shows.

• Illinois leaders vow legal action to block federal troop deployment.

Mayor Johnson Pushes Back: “Chicago Will Not Waver”

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said he has had no communication with the White House regarding the proposal and condemned the potential deployment in strong terms.

“What this president is attempting to do is not just unconstitutional, but it is very much a threat to our democracy,” Johnson said.

Johnson stressed that Chicago has successfully reduced violence without federal intervention.

“Chicago is not calling for a military occupation of our city. We are focused on constitutional policing, violence prevention, and investing in communities,” he stated.

Johnson pointed to recent crime statistics as proof that local strategies are working.

“This past year alone, we have seen more than a 30% reduction in homicides, a 35% reduction in robberies, and an almost 40% reduction in shootings. We need to keep building on this work,” he said.

Crime Trends vs. Federal Claims

The president has repeatedly described Chicago as a dangerous city, but data tells a different story. According to Chicago Police Department figures analyzed by ABC7, overall crime is down 13% compared to last year. Violent crime has dropped by 23%, and property crimes are down 11%.

Senator Dick Durbin criticized the president’s plan as “political theater”, arguing that these moves distract from pressing national issues.

“What President Trump is doing in D.C. is purely political theater. His actions are creating chaos and sowing fear rather than making our nation’s capital safer, and now he says Chicago will be his next target,” Durbin said.

Illinois Leaders Unite Against Federal Troops

Governor JB Pritzker, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, and Attorney General Kwame Raoul have also expressed strong opposition.

“There is no emergency that warrants the President of the United States federalizing the Illinois National Guard or sending active-duty military within our borders,” Pritzker said.

Lt. Governor Stratton called the move a “manufactured crisis” designed to gain political power.

“Crime in Chicago is declining and there’s absolutely no rationale for this decision, other than to distract from the pain Trump is inflicting on working families with his dangerous agenda,” Stratton stated.

Trump: “Chicago Will Likely Be Next”

Despite mounting opposition, Trump indicated last Friday that Chicago is the next target for his crackdown efforts following the deployment of 2,000 troops in Washington, D.C.

“I think Chicago will be our next,” Trump told reporters at the White House.

He added:

“Chicago is a mess. People are screaming for us to come. We’ll straighten that one out probably next. That will be our next one after this.”

Trump suggested that New York City could follow.

Public Reaction Divided

While state and city leaders strongly oppose the move, some Chicago residents support the idea, citing persistent concerns about crime.

“It’s too much crime, so it needs to be some type of law and order, and if this administration cannot get it done, the Johnson administration can’t get it done… then yeah, we need the National Guard,” said Zoe Leigh, a local resident.

Mayor Johnson has vowed legal action if the Guard is deployed, though it remains unclear how effective that would be. Similar lawsuits in other states remain unresolved.

What’s Next?

For now, Chicago officials remain on high alert as discussions continue in Washington. Whether the Pentagon moves forward with a deployment will likely depend on political, legal, and security calculations in the coming weeks.

The debate over National Guard deployment in Chicago underscores a growing clash between federal authority and local governance. While the Pentagon continues to emphasize that its planning is precautionary, the political and legal pushback from Illinois leaders signals a fierce battle ahead. With crime in Chicago trending downward and city officials prioritizing community-based solutions, many argue that the proposed deployment is unnecessary and politically motivated.

As both sides dig in, the coming weeks will reveal whether this plan remains on paper or escalates into a constitutional showdown over the role of federal troops in American cities. For now, Chicago stands firm: “We will not bend, we will never break.”

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