‘We are the troops’: Inside Chicago’s split communities as Trump vows to deploy National Guard

President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his intention to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago, escalating tensions with local officials and highlighting deep divisions within the city over crime and immigration enforcement. This move comes amid a backdrop of decreased violent crime in Chicago, yet persistent challenges. On Saturday, September 6, 2025, Trump amplified his threats through a social media post on Truth Social, sharing a parody image from ‘Apocalypse Now’ with the caption ‘I love the smell of deportations in the morning’ and the label ‘Chipocalypse Now.’ Illinois Governor JB Pritzker responded by calling Trump a ‘wannabe dictator’ and emphasizing that Illinois would not be intimidated. Trump’s post follows his executive order to rename the Defense Department the Department of War, though this requires congressional approval. The proposal to send troops is part of Trump’s broader strategy to increase federal presence in Democratic-led cities, following deployments in Los Angeles and Washington D.C. aimed at combating crime and enforcing immigration laws. In Los Angeles, a judge recently ruled against the Guard’s deployment, but Trump has vowed to continue such actions. However, crime statistics in Chicago show a significant improvement. According to the Council on Criminal Justice, homicides decreased by 33% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, with shooting victims down by over 700. Superintendent Larry Snelling of the Chicago Police Department noted that while more officers are needed, the National Guard lacks police powers and proper coordination would be essential. Local leaders, including Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor Pritzker, have vowed to resist the deployment through legal means. Pritzker, a possible 2028 presidential candidate, stated that Trump is ‘threatening to go to war with an American city’ and that such actions are not normal. Communities in Chicago are split on the issue. In areas like Bronzeville, where recent shootings occurred, community workers like Rob White of Chicago CRED argue that the real ‘troops’ are local efforts to reduce violence, not military deployment. Conversely, in neighborhoods like Canaryville, residents like Tom Stack support Trump’s plan, citing high crime rates. Latino communities, such as Little Village, fear immigration raids, with concerns about ICE agents targeting individuals regardless of documentation. This has led to the postponement of the El Grito Chicago festival, a celebration of Mexican Independence Day, due to safety concerns. Arturo Landa, a striking worker, expressed worries about discrimination based on skin color. The Trump administration maintains that its actions are focused on illegal immigration and public safety, but opponents see it as an overreach that could violate civil rights. As legal challenges loom, the situation underscores the deep political and social divides in the city and the nation.