Amidst criticism of his administration’s actions, President Trump addressed concerns, stating that “a lot of people are saying, ‘Maybe we like a dictator.'” He also reiterated his intention to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago and signed executive orders against cashless bail and regarding flag burning. These actions have drawn criticism, with some comparing them to measures seen in countries under dictatorships, and warnings that these actions will only serve to benefit the predatory bail industry. The executive orders also included consequences for jurisdictions that maintain cashless bail systems. Public figures such as Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed their concerns regarding the orders as well.
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The use of National Guard troops for expanded immigration roundups and policing actions, driven by President Trump, is incurring significant costs. These deployments are drawing from funds intended for crucial training and operational readiness. State National Guard units are seeking additional funding to cover expenses, facing potential financial liabilities that could hinder their ability to respond to emergencies. Concerns are also raised about the timely compensation of National Guard members, with potential financial hardships for those deployed.
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Starting Sunday night, a limited number of National Guard members in Washington, D.C., will be armed, as directed by the Secretary of Defense. The Joint Task Force in D.C. stated that personnel will carry service weapons but operate under established Rules for the Use of Force. This represents an escalation in the federal intervention in the city, despite declining violent crime rates, with no specific threats necessitating armed guards reported. The decision follows President Trump’s order for a law enforcement crackdown and the earlier deployment of National Guard troops who have primarily focused on landmark protection and crowd control.
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According to The Washington Post, the Pentagon has been planning a military deployment to Chicago, potentially serving as a model for similar actions in other cities, particularly those run by Democrats. Multiple plans are being considered, including the deployment of thousands of National Guard troops. Meanwhile, Trump has threatened to send troops to Baltimore, despite declining crime rates in both cities. Local officials like Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have strongly opposed Trump’s plans, viewing them as an authoritarian overreach and an unconstitutional power grab.
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Amidst escalating plans to militarize more US cities, a leading Democrat accused Donald Trump of manufacturing a crisis to justify sending federalized National Guard troops into Chicago, over the objections of local leaders. The White House has reportedly been working on these plans, while the mayor of Chicago and the governor of Illinois both stated they had not requested federal assistance. Trump has stated that the people of Chicago are “screaming” for assistance, despite statistics showing a decline in serious crime in the city.
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In a significant expansion of its immigration and anti-crime initiatives, the Trump administration is deploying up to 1,700 National Guard troops across 19 states. These troops, largely stationed in Republican-controlled states, will support Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, including tasks like data collection and fingerprinting. The deployments follow a May request from the Department of Homeland Security, with some states already announcing the specific roles of their National Guard personnel, such as administrative and logistical support. This expansion coincides with the president’s threats to deploy military forces to other cities, highlighting the increasing use of federal resources in domestic law enforcement.
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President Trump has indicated that Chicago is the next city targeted for federal intervention, following the current occupation in Washington, D.C., drawing strong opposition from local officials. Trump’s declaration of a public safety emergency and the deployment of federal forces, despite decreasing crime rates in several cities, has been met with accusations of authoritarian overreach. While Trump faces legal obstacles to controlling local police departments in Chicago, officials like Mayor Johnson and Governor Pritzker have vehemently rejected the idea, citing existing crime reduction efforts and community violence intervention programs. Elected officials across Illinois have unified in their condemnation of Trump’s threats, highlighting concerns about the impact on vulnerable communities and the prioritization of political spectacle over effective public safety measures.
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A CNN review of FBI data reveals that several cities within states deploying National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., at the behest of the Trump administration, had higher rates of violent crime and homicide than the District of Columbia itself. Governors from Ohio, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, and West Virginia are sending troops to assist with a crackdown on crime, despite the fact that cities within those states, such as Cleveland, Memphis, and Jackson, Mississippi, face more significant crime challenges. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers and criminal justice advocates, have condemned the federal takeover of D.C., questioning the priorities of states sending assistance while grappling with their own public safety issues. These critics suggest that political motivations, rather than genuine concerns for public safety, are driving these deployments.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed National Guard members in Washington, D.C., to carry their service weapons while assisting with the President’s crime crackdown. This new guidance marks a shift from the Pentagon’s prior stance on arming the National Guard. More than 1,900 troops from various states have been deployed to support the D.C. National Guard in this mission. The administration has been highlighting the increased presence of National Guard members and federal law enforcement in the capital.
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President Trump announced plans to patrol Washington, D.C. streets on Thursday night with the Metropolitan Police Department and National Guard troops, aiming to combat crime and assert control over the city. The White House is still finalizing the details of the evening, which follows Trump’s recent actions to federalize the city’s police and deploy National Guard forces, despite declining violent crime statistics. Amidst these developments, Attorney General Pam Bondi reported hundreds of arrests, a significant portion of which involved immigrants. A recent poll indicates substantial opposition from D.C. residents to Trump’s intervention, reflecting public skepticism about the effectiveness of his approach.
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John Q. Hosedrinker