Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has issued an executive order pushing back against what he called a threat from President Trump to send federal troops into the city. Signed on Saturday, the order demands that the president “stand down” and directs city officials to pursue all legal and legislative avenues to prevent any such deployment. It also makes clear that the Chicago Police Department answers only to the mayor.
“We do not want military checkpoints or armored vehicles on our streets, and we do not want to see families ripped apart,” Johnson said, according to WLS. “We will take any action necessary to protect the rights of all Chicagoans.”
The order prohibits Chicago police from cooperating with federal agents on law enforcement operations, including immigration enforcement. It also instructs federal agencies and military personnel to comply with city laws while operating in Chicago.
“This is about drawing a clear line between what our police do and what the federal government does,” Johnson said. “This president will not be allowed to deputize our police department.”
Johnson said he expects a federal deployment could arrive as soon as next week. President Trump has recently indicated that Chicago could be among the next cities to receive federal troops to combat crime, and his administration reportedly asked a nearby military base for support with immigration enforcement efforts.
In response, the White House dismissed Johnson’s executive order as a political move. “If these Democrats focused on fixing crime in their own cities instead of doing publicity stunts to criticize the president, their communities would be much safer,” a spokesperson told CNN. “Cracking down on crime should not be a partisan issue.”