Chicago's Democratic Mayor, Brandon Johnson, responded
resolutely to President Donald Trump's plan to send federal agents and troops
to the city, vowing to lead a “resistance” in defense of Chicago's citizens.
Contrary to the position of the vast majority of the city's
citizens, the mayor is determined to confront the Trump administration's
intentions to save the already destroyed security situation.
“I am doing everything I can to defend the people of this city
and lead a resistance that is desperately needed to protect our democracy and
our humanity,” Johnson told local media.
The Trump administration plans to deploy the National Guard
and federal agents (such as ICE and Department of Homeland Security security
forces) to Chicago, citing their need for intervention amid its “immigration
crackdown” and numerous outbreaks of violence.
Johnson, along with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, has
denounced the deployment as illegal, unconstitutional, and politically
motivated, seeking to reject the difficult conditions facing citizens in
Chicago and across the state.
Supporting the Democratic government's position, a federal
court issued a temporary order prohibiting the use of National Guard troops in
Illinois for at least 14 days, arguing that there is insufficient evidence of a
rebellion or insurrection to justify deploying the military.
Johnson issued an executive order preventing immigration
agents from using public property—such as parking lots, vacant lots, or
municipal garages—as bases for immigration operations.
The city of Chicago ordered local police not to assist in
federal immigration raids, including checkpoints, detentions, or police coverts
that mimic the tactics of federal agents.
Chicago and Illinois have filed lawsuits to stop the
deployment of federal troops, alleging violations of state sovereignty and the
Constitution.