On Saturday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed strong opposition to the Trump administration's plan to deploy federal officers to Chicago, which is the nation's third-largest city. The mayor described the move as part of an 'out-of-control' federal strategy that may commence within days. In response, Johnson signed an executive order prohibiting the Chicago Police Department from assisting federal authorities with civil immigration enforcement or related operations, including patrols, traffic stops, and checkpoints.
Johnson emphasized the need to protect the constitutional rights of Chicago residents amidst fears of a military-style immigration operation or the potential deployment of the National Guard. He stated during a news conference, "Yeah, and I don’t take orders from the federal government," when asked about federal agents following instructions from the administration.
The executive order also prevents Chicago police from wearing face coverings to conceal their identities, a practice that many officers from the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have adopted under the current administration. According to anonymous U.S. officials, the federal surge could begin as soon as September 5 and is expected to last around 30 days.
This immigration crackdown is part of a broader effort to increase the federal law enforcement presence in major cities run by Democratic mayors, mirroring similar operations that occurred in Los Angeles earlier this summer. President Donald Trump commented on Chicago's crime rates through his Truth Social platform, criticizing Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker for his stance against federal assistance in combating crime.
Trump highlighted a recent violent weekend in Chicago, stating, "Six people were killed, and 24 people were shot... He better straighten it out, FAST, or we're coming! MAGA." Unlike past federal interventions, the plan for Chicago does not involve the National Guard or military, focusing specifically on immigration enforcement rather than a comprehensive crime-fighting strategy, according to the officials.
Chicago has a sizable immigrant population, and both city and state officials have established some of the nation’s strictest regulations against cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. This has led to ongoing tension between local authorities and the administration, which promotes a mass deportation agenda. Johnson's executive order reinforces the city's longstanding position that neither Chicago nor Illinois officials have been consulted about the federal presence, demanding that Trump abandon his plans.
Johnson used strong language to criticize Trump, calling him "reckless and out of control" and labeling him as "the biggest threat to our democracy that we’ve experienced in the history of our country." In response to concerns raised by Johnson and other city leaders, the White House maintained that the increase in federal agents is primarily focused on fighting crime rather than political retribution. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson stated, "If these Democrats focused on fixing crime in their own cities instead of doing publicity stunts to criticize the President, their communities would be much safer."
This situation highlights the ongoing conflict between federal and local authorities over immigration and law enforcement policies, particularly in cities with large immigrant populations resistant to federal enforcement of civil immigration laws.
