Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson recently held a press conference against President Donald Trump's consideration of sending the National Guard to Chicago to address rising crime rates. Both leaders emphasized the importance of local control and opposed federal intervention.
1. Public Plea Against National Guard:
• Pritzker and Johnson publicly asked Trump not to send the National Guard to Chicago, arguing that such actions would complicate their efforts to combat crime.
• Pritzker stated, "Mr. President, do not come to Chicago," asserting that Trump is "neither wanted" nor "needed" in the city.
2. Efforts to Control Crime:
• Pritzker highlighted a coalition of Chicago leaders, including business and community representatives, unified in their disagreement with Trump’s proposed intervention.
• Johnson claimed that the citizens of Chicago are looking for investment in their communities rather than a military presence, referring to Chicago’s efforts as a collaborative approach to crime reduction.
3. Crime Statistics:
• The Chicago Tribune reported 262 homicides as of August 25, a decrease from the previous year. Violent crime has dropped by 22% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
• Despite the crime rate decline, Trump announced the National Guard's deployment in response to crime in Washington, D. C.
4. Political Context:
• Democrats have strongly criticized Trump’s crime policies. A recent survey indicated that 54% of voters felt Trump’s strategies were justified.
• Pritzker and Johnson emphasized that the crime issue is often politicized, with their administration focusing on community investment and better local policing instead of military intervention.
Pritzker and Johnson's unified stance against the National Guard's deployment reflects a commitment to local governance and community-led solutions to crime. They are focused on reducing crime through investment and collaboration rather than external military solutions.
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