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

President Donald Trump’s vow to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago has sparked intense division, with communities split and local leaders mounting fierce opposition to what they deem an unconstitutional act. Trump’s announcement, made amid claims of rising crime, comes despite data showing significant improvements in violent crime rates in the city. Over the Labor Day weekend, 58 people were shot in Chicago, including eight fatalities, which Trump highlighted as justification for intervention. However, overall homicides have decreased by 32% and shootings by 37% in the first half of 2025 compared to 2024, with summer killings at a 60-year low, according to city statistics and analyses. The community response is deeply divided; in neighborhoods like Canaryville, residents such as Tom Stack eagerly await troops, arguing that crime is rampant and needs forceful action. Conversely, in South Side areas, local activists and community workers emphasize that grassroots programs are already effective, with Rob White of Chicago CRED stating, ‘Having the militia come in is not going to be the answer,’ and Kanoya Ali adding, ‘We are the troops,’ referring to local efforts. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have strongly condemned the deployment, with Pritzker calling Trump ‘unhinged’ and vowing legal resistance, while Johnson signed an executive order to protect the city from federal overreach. An analysis by the National Priorities Project estimates that deploying 3,000 National Guard members could cost taxpayers nearly $1.6 million per day, based on past deployments, raising concerns about financial waste and economic disruption. Business leaders, including Derek Douglas of the Civic Committee, have expressed worries about impacts on tourism, morale, and daily operations, labeling the move as unprecedented and unwarranted. The deployment follows similar actions in Los Angeles and Washington D.C., where a judge recently ruled the LA deployment illegal, highlighting potential legal challenges ahead. The situation underscores deep political divides and questions about federal authority versus local governance, with the outcome likely hinging on court battles and continued public discourse.