President Donald Trump said Friday that he may deploy federal troops to cities like Chicago, following a similar approach to what has been implemented in Washington, D.C., according to Fox News.
“We’re going to make our cities very, very safe,” Trump told reporters. “I think Chicago will be our next,” he added, referencing potential plans to increase federal presence. “And then we’ll help with New York.”
The president claimed he has received pleas from Chicago residents asking for federal intervention, describing the city as “a mess” and criticizing Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson for the state of crime and gun violence. Trump suggested that reducing crime in Chicago “won’t even be tough.”
However, as noted by The Hill, Washington, D.C. operates under a unique legal framework that gives the president more direct authority over its security. In contrast, cities like Chicago fall under state and local jurisdiction, which limits the federal government’s control over local police operations.