President Donald Trump signed the deployment of 300 National Guard soldiers to Chicago to deal with what he describes as out-of-control crime in the city. The action was hours after immigration officials reported they clashed with protesters in the Democrat-controlled city, and an armed woman was fatally shot after officials reported she and others used their automobiles to ram into law enforcement vehicles. State and local officials have spent weeks decrying Trump’s plans to deploy and labelling it an abuse of power, with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker stating that Trump is trying to create a crisis. The announcement was made the same day a federal judge in Portland, Oregon, temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying 200 troops there, stating Trump’s comments on conditions in Portland are unmoored to the facts.
Woman Shot During Immigration Enforcement Confrontation
Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin explained that agents could not drive away and were forced to step out of their cars when surrounded by protesters. One of the drivers who crashed into the law enforcement vehicle was equipped with a semi-automatic firearm, officials said. The police had to use their weapons and shoot defensive rounds at an armed US citizen, McLaughlin included in her statement. Her injuries were not specified, but DHS stated that she had transported herself to a nearby hospital on Saturday following the shooting.
There has been a rise in protests against immigration enforcement within Chicago, and most have taken place outside US Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices. The deployments have raised both constitutional and legal issues since National Guard soldiers are normally deployed by a state governor, and century-old statutes constrain the government’s use of the military for domestic purposes. White House press secretary Abigail Jackson stated that in the midst of continued violent riots and anarchy that local leaders such as Governor Pritzker have refused to intervene to suppress, President Trump has approved 300 national guardsmen to safeguard federal officers and property.
Legal Challenges Expected as Judge Blocks Portland Deployment
Judge Karin Immergut in Portland decided that the administration’s case for deploying the military threatens to dissolve the distinction between civil and military federal authority to the nation’s detriment. She stated that deploying the military to suppress disturbances without the consent of the state of Oregon threatened the sovereignty of the state and others, and it also heightened tensions in the city and led to more protests. Though it is still unknown if troops have indeed deployed to Chicago yet, any such deployment would more than likely be confronted with the same legal action by state and local authorities.
Chicago is the newest city, a majority of them Democratic-led, to be targeted for incendiary deployment of troops, to join Washington, Los Angeles, Memphis and Portland on the list. Earlier in the week, the president spoke of his continued military deployment to US cities when he addressed senior military leaders, informing them that he would like to utilise American cities as training bases for troops so they may fight the enemy from within and calm unrest. Trump has warned of sending troops to Chicago for almost a month, threatening to send the troops there over crime and shootouts in the city. Violent crime in Chicago has declined by more than half over the last two years, with the homicide rate decreasing by a third from January to June this year compared to the same period in the previous year, as per the Council on Criminal Justice. Nevertheless, the city’s overall totals are still significantly above that of most US cities, and at least 58 individuals were shot, with eight killed, during the Labour Day holiday weekend last month.
News At Glance
- Trump sends 300 National Guard troops to Chicago as it is experiencing crime and violent protests
- An armed female was shot by immigration agents after running vehicles into federal cars
- A federal judge halts a similar deployment to Portland, deeming it unconstitutional
- Illinois Governor Pritzker claims Trump is trying to create a crisis in Chicago
- Crime rates in Chicago have declined sharply over the last two years, despite Trump’s assertions
FAQs
- Why is Trump deploying troops to Chicago?
Trump claims it’s to combat out-of-control crime and defend federal officials from violent demonstrations against immigration enforcement.
- How many National Guard troops are heading to Chicago?
President Trump approved the deployment of 300 National Guard troops into the city.
- Did a judge halt the Chicago deployment?
Not yet, but a federal judge halted a comparable deployment to Portland, deeming it unconstitutional and surefire legal challenges will ensue.
- What did happen with the woman who was shot?
DHS reports that an armed female drove her car into federal cars during demonstrations, and agents fired defensive rounds at her.
- Has crime really spiked in Chicago recently?
No, violent crime in Chicago declined sharply in the last two years, with homicides decreasing by a third this year.
Stay updated with the latest news, innovations, and economic insights at Inspirepreneur Magazine.
