Chicago Mayor Johnson criticizes Trump’s National Guard threat

CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson criticized President Donald Trump Tuesday during an event announcing a Labor Day rally and march.

This comes after the president has threatened to send the National Guard to Chicago over crime.

The mayor joined several unions, as well as state and local representatives, for the announcement. All of them took the podium to express their disapproval on the possibility of having the National Guard in the city, and what it would mean for their members and constituents.

“The president wanted to pick a fight, we’ll give him one Chicago-style. But we’re also not going to take the bait. Chicago is a town where we engage in protest and freedom of speech everyday. We believe in non-violent protests,” said Bob Reiter, President of the Chicago Federation of Labor.

Labor leaders and advocacy organizations announced plans for a Labor Day rally and march to stand against what they’re calling Trump’s attacks on working people.

This comes as the Trump administration announced cuts to Medicaid, impacts to federal union contracts and most recently floated the idea of sending the National Guard to Chicago to combat crime.

“There’s an alternative to billionaire rule and that alternative rule should be by the people. That is the alternative that this moment is calling for. The people solution to investment. In fact, the alternative is a bottom up grass root movement,” said Mayor Johnson.

The mayor said if the National Guard is deployed to the city, there is a plan in place. For safety reasons, he would not eleborate.

Johnson said he is in communication with the Chicago Police Department and organizations at the state and local level.

The Labor Day march and rally will take place at the Haymarket Memorial in the city’s West Loop at 11 a.m. Monday.