Trump Plans Military Deployment in Chicago

The Pentagon said in a statement late on Saturday: “We won’t speculate on further operations. The department is a planning organization and is continuously working with other agency partners on plans to protect federal assets and personnel."

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said his office has not received formal communication from the Trump administration about military or federal law enforcement deployments in Chicago but said 'we have grave concerns about the impact of any unlawful deployment of National Guard troops.'

Johnson called Trump's approach 'uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound,' arguing it 'has the potential to inflame tensions between residents and law enforcement.'

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker also said that he has not been contacted by the federal government and accused the president of 'manufacturing' a crisis.

'The State of Illinois at this time has received no requests or outreach from the federal government asking if we need assistance, and we have made no requests for federal intervention,' Pritzker said.

'The safety of the people of Illinois is always my top priority. There is no emergency that warrants the President of the United States federalizing the Illinois National Guard, deploying the National Guard from other states, or sending active duty military within our own borders.

'Donald Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform, and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain he is causing working families.

'We will continue to follow the law, stand up for the sovereignty of our state, and protect the people of Illinois.'

'Chicago is a mess. You have an incompetent mayor. Grossly incompetent and we'll straighten that one out probably next, that will be our next one after this and it won't even be tough,' Trump said.