Victims of gun violence, advocacy groups speak out against Trump’s threat to send National Guard to Chicago

CHICAGO (WGN) — Victims of gun violence, their families, and advocacy groups gathered on Tuesday to speak out against President Donald Trump’s potential plan to mobilize the National Guard in Chicago.

During an Oval Office press conference on Friday, Trump spoke about his recent attempt to crack down on crime in Washington DC by deploying National Guard troops to the nation’s capital. He eventually signaled his willingness to deploy troops to Chicago next.

A report from the Washington Post says the Pentagon has been planning a military deployment to Chicago for weeks, and thousands of National Guard members could be in the city as soon as September.

On Monday, Trump signed off on an executive order for additional National Guard units, which means troops could be headed to Chicago.

“I’m willing to go to Chicago, which is in big trouble, but we have a governor who refuses to admit he has problems,” Trump said. “You would think that Illinois wouldn’t have such a problem with crime. Such a bad governor, he should be calling me and he should be saying, ‘Could you send over the troops, please? It’s out of control.'”

Illinois leaders, including Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, have been very vocal on their opposition of the plan, citing a lack of communication from the White House and the fact that Chicago is not in the top 25 most dangerous cities in the US.

“Mr. President, do not come to Chicago. You are neither wanted here nor needed here,” Pritzker said. “This is not about fighting crime, this is about Donald Trump searching for any justification to deploy the military in a blue city in a blue state to intimidate his political rivals.”

Last year, there were 580 murders in Chicago, but that number is down significantly from 2021, when the homicide rate stood at 804.

“Everybody knows Chicago is a hell hole right now, everybody knows. He’s saying Chicago has much better numbers now. What’s much better? You mean, 100 people are going to be murdered, it’s got to be much more than that,” Trump said.

Amid the chaos unfolding behind the scenes, local victims of gun violence and their families gathered for a press conference addressing the plan, which they called “dangerous and misguided.”

“Bringing the National Guard to Chicago is not a solution, it’s an attack,” Artinese Myrick, the Deputy Director of LIVEFREE Illinois, said. “It sends a message that Black communities are problems to be controlled rather than people who need to be supported.”

During the press conference, survivors and their families joined local leaders in denouncing the mobilization of troops, instead calling for “proven solutions.”

“Real change comes from support for our communities, not an unconstitutional occupation of them,” a spokesperson for One Aim Illinois, the organization hosting the news conference, said in a release.

Chicago labor leaders and advocacy groups announced plans for a Labor Day rally and march to stand against what they call an attack on working people.

According to organizers, the rally is to protest Medicaid cuts, cancelled federal union contracts and the threat of National Guard deployment to Chicago.

“The president wanted to pick a fight, we’ll give him one Chicago style. But we’re also not going to take the bait,” Bob Reiter, of the Chicago Federation of Labor, said.

While there is no concrete plan on when and if National Guard troops could arrive in Chicago, a source tells WGN-TV city aldermen received an email about a briefing with the mayor’s office on Thursday.

15th Ward Ald. Ray Lopez issued a statement on the matter, saying in part:

“Chicago absolutely needs the federal government’s increased intervention and support to address human trafficking, drug cartels, illegal gun trade fueling street gang battles, and yes, the dangerous actions of nonviolent citizens.”

Johnson says he has been in communication with Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling in preparation of any potential unrest or protests that should occur if the National Guard is deployed.