Public sentiment is significantly polarized regarding the deployment of military forces in Chicago, with supporters arguing for necessary intervention to combat crime and opponents raising serious concerns about civil liberties and government overreach. Many comments reflect frustrations with local governance, along with fears of authoritarianism and the misuse of military resources, indicating a complex context of urgent safety needs against the backdrop of democratic values.

Federal Government

Local Government of Chicago

Residents of Chicago

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Any explanation as to why he’s wearing that dopey hat in the Oval Office? Any explanation besides the fact he’s insane?

beavis617

It's not a coincidence that he is wearing a hat proclaiming that he's the most brilliant man to have ever lived while declaring he's going to ignore laws and order our military to attack our own citizens.

BitterFuture

It’s a definite escalation, but at what point do Governor’s mobilize the State Guard to keep the Guard from Red States from invading?

ForcedEntry420

[deleted]

Crackdown on fucking *what?* Freedom? Life?

EDIT:  For all those saying, "To stop all the crime, duh" -- a) the cities with the worst violent crime are in red states and he has not sent troops there, nor even mentioned them, and b) soldiers are not law enforcement, and there are a bunch of reasons we don't use them for that.

alejo699

Wasn't the second amendment to help protect us from tyranny? How is this not tyranny?

vanceavalon

Hey!! Weren’t those files supposed to be released today?

TheWorldHasGoneRogue

What’s with the shit-eating grin on the couch-fucker?

Imagine being in the same shot as Donald Trump and having the more punchable face.

Disclaimer: This poster does not endorse violence against either of these two assholes, horrendously awful human beings though they are.

Mum0817

We “African American ladies, beautiful ladies” are NOT saying “please come to Chicago” and he did not “do great with the Black vote.”

Black women were demographically the *least likely* of all voters to vote for Trump. Black men the second least likely. 

Leave Black Americans out of your mouth. 

Edit: if you feel a need to reply that more Black people voted for Trump in 2024 than in 2020 or 2016, read the discussions from the several other people who felt that need. Still least likely of all demographics (whether you break it down by race, gender, age, income, geography, education, whatever…) to support Trump. 

15% of Black people (7% of Black women) do not support either “Black women are saying please come to Chicago” nor “I did great with Black people”. 

He is by and large rejected by Black people. 

Yes, he made huge inroads with men of all races. 

Which is a similar problem to his strength with white people. 

He and his supporters want to revert to the old power systems, even if it takes an autocracy to do it. 

And then 3 more of you came and did that. Blocking any more. 

Comfortable_Fill9081

"Nationwide crackdown" - yes, on democracy

jagged_little_phil

Project 2025: "there won't be blood unless the left resists"
This is the goal, the classic conservative victim technique. Bully, bully, bully until they resist then kill them and stand tall feeling justified... Or claim self-defense

drae-gon

“Crackdown”
Because having no home and no money is a crime in the eyes of these cretins. “Law and order” apparently means “we do whatever the fuck we want because we don’t like what you do.”

They don’t even hide it anymore. They want to make begging for help and living on the street punishable offenses; out of sight and out of mind at tax payer expense. What are they going to do? Round them up? Throw them in a ghetto? Send them to work camps? Sounds familiar.

drewbaccaAWD

The authoritarian steamroller is just getting started. 

It'll be like Antiques Roadshow but with less antiques and more military hardware and violence.

ConstantGeographer

Ask him to name couple of those black ladies from Chicago.  Inquiring minds would like to know.

TA8325

Language is important.

Violating the Constitution is not a "crackdown."

It's an assault, by a domestic enemy, against the Republic of the United States of America.  It should be answered as prescribed by the founders.

Weak_Leek_3364

Does anybody think America will return to it's role as a leader of the free world after (if?) this clown show ends? Like, just objectively looking at the scene. A soulless pig-man with a billboard on his forehead and a stolen trophy, surrounded by syncophants, gold, and billboards... Threatening to impose martial law on additional US cities... How do we de-normalize this lunacy? What's the route back?  
  
He's stained the office of the Presidency so deeply, does his shit wash out?

Chim________Richalds

nobody and I mean nobody can hold this country against a hostile domestic population indefinitely. Not even the government. 

Eattherichhaters

Why is he bringing black women into this now?

IAmBoring_AMA

 Not to be a conspiracy guy or anything but he doesn’t look well. There is visible deterioration of his face

americansherlock201

Bring it on buddy. 

Pritzker will eat him alive. (Not a comment on Pritzker’s weight )

anonononnnnnaaan

I was in Chicago last week and not even murdered once. All I got with was a belly full of sasage and a hangover.
So disappointing.

Depressed-Industry

America’s dictatorship looks like a gaudy infomercial.

lesmainsdepigeon

00001000U

Wearing a hat claiming in the third person that you were right about everything, is embarrassing and next level cringe

audaciousmonk

It's beyond time to accept that the president and **ALL** of his supporters are traitors to the United States of America.

This isn't the first time this nation has had to deal with a large swath of its populace turning traitor. Hopefully we have what it takes to do it again.

StupidTimeline

Fascist dotard threatens urban citizens over his treasonous demands.

Just as forewarned, buckle in and resist.

HashRunner

The epstein files are basically his name everywhere...

Infamous-Salad-2223

If the republican congress doesn't put an end to this, we will.

Zestyclose_Pickle511

Hatdrop

I like how they were so shitty about Zelinski not wearing a suit and it was so rude, and then they can’t even put on a fucking tie. Sad

strangemedia6

Why does he look like he aged 10 years in less than a month? Not even war presidents age that quickly!

theaviationhistorian

Herban_Myth

Is seems clear that the goal is to engage in preemptive violence to provoke a response, which could provide a pretext for the administration to rationalize invocation of the Insurrection Act.

TheNetworkIsFrelled

I don't understand... What does this have to do with releasing the Epstein client list?

Randomscreename

Seriously the military is not a law enforcement force.

As Hegseth kept saying they are War fighters. The US streets are not a war zone. Period.

What I am sick to death is that not a single fucking republican of note will stand up to this fucker. No federal judge is fed up and calling this what it is the fascist destruction of the US.

The SCOTUS keeps handing himp power begs the question then why do we need you?

The Congress keeps handing him power begs the question why do we need them?

Where is one logical MAGAiz (I know oxymoron) to relapse at some point the fascists run out of enemies and turns on EVERYONE. The circle of trust gets tighter and tighter until it is the fascist regime vs literally everyone in the country.

Slade_Riprock

Fuck this loser. I can’t believe the shit is happening, and there are people who actually want it to happen. What’s even more heartbreaking is our military is going along with it.

TymStark

What happened to the Nazis that said they were just following orders? Asking for a friend.

Local-Friendship8166

The top 4 cities by crime rates are all in Alabama.

Odd hes not starting there.

Odd our media never points that out to him.

Odd he called others epsteins bestie when epstein has said on multiple occasions it was trump.

amazinglover

Dude looks like warmed up cat shit , better start those thoughts and prayers

codemonkeyhopeful

I will never stop being furious at the idiots who willingly voted to throw our democracy in the trash. 

What an insult to the people who fought and died to gain it, and to protect it.

StronglyHeldOpinions

Fit-Association3293

As a frequent visitor DC, I feel far less safe seeing the HMMVs and troops in tactical gear.  I know I’m not a target, but I also know I might suddenly find myself in a cloud of tear gas.  

Fascism sucks.

guttanzer

They're practicing for the elections to come.  Martial law to protect America from dangerous sandwich throwers.

Utterlybored

Trump doesn’t even have the excuse of civil unrest this time. How would a deployment without the consent of the governor possibly be legal?

robotical712

And for my own thoughts. I’ve been busy with school and work lately to look at the news, but this recent rhetoric by the Trump administration and the normalization of it has been pretty alarming.

I can’t imagine Republican or Democrats getting away with how the Trump administration has been acting. The normalization of what’s going on worries me for our country’s future. If Obama were to have done this he’s be out of office on day one. 

But the deployment of troops on American cities in a time of peace is straight up authoritarian in my opinion. While the guise may be to “fight crime” now, what’s stopping them from using the military to go after politicians, political dissidents, and so many aspects of our democracy? 

I’m hoping for the best for our country, but it’s not even a full year into Trump’s term yet and we still got another three to go…

Numerous-Chocolate15

Full republican government would rather play illegal loopholes or legal misinterpretation than pass legislature.  How about passing legislature to solve "crime", but nope need federal troops in all toilets.

TechnicalInternet1

No civilized nation would normally tolerate such an action in 21st century unless the situation is truly extraordinary and the troops are needed. In the long run, such actions would completely erode the trust in the military. Another step to undermine the democratic institutions and the constitution.

parisianpasha

The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon has been preparing plans to potentially send thousands of National Guard troops into Chicago as early as September, framing the move as part of a wider federal crime crackdown. The idea drew immediate backlash from Illinois leaders who made it clear they were not consulted and do not support such an intervention. Governor J.B. Pritzker, Mayor Brandon Johnson, Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, and Senator Tammy Duckworth all spoke out strongly against the proposal, calling it unlawful, unnecessary, and politically driven. They pointed to the fact that crime in the city has actually been trending down, with homicides dropping by more than 30 percent and shootings by nearly 40 percent over the past year.

Leaders stressed that no formal emergency declaration has been made and no request for military assistance has come from local or state officials. They warned that sending troops into Chicago without coordination would set a dangerous precedent and undermine democratic processes. Many also argued that the plan seems designed to create the perception of chaos for partisan advantage rather than to address real public safety needs. Their message was clear: Chicago does not want or need federal troops patrolling its streets, and any attempt to impose them would be met with strong opposition.

With this increasing precedent by the Trump administration to deploy troops into Democrat ran cities to “fight crime,” do you or other Americans support this decision? Do you see increased risks by deploying the military to combat crime?

A military deployment would have probably made sense in the early 2010s when the portmanteau “Chiraq” gained fame and the drill music scene took off.

Shout out to Chief Keef.

RedditorAli

Chicago should definitely get tougher on crime, but I also think this executive policy is going too far

Okbuddyliberals


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This is, what, the 10th constitutional crisis of this administration that no one seems to care about?

Desertnurse760

Isn't using the military as police against the constitution? Oh wait, the constitution does not matter anymore. 

ComfortableAcadia252

This has nothing to do with crime and everything to do with politics and control.  It is a sad time for America.  It is also a sad set of events for our honored military.

Thisam

Ah yes the media is going with the "crime crackdown" mantra.   They did this with the J6 insurrection.  They called it a riot. 

Infuriating...

TintedApostle

We’re headed straight into a civil war.

SecReflex

Weird way to spell "authoritarian invasion"

AusToddles

This is in direct violation of the Posse Comitatus Act.

kwyjibo1

This is perfectly normal for the People's Republic of the USSA. Nothing to see here, comrade!

WontThinkStraight

California here. As the first target of this bullshit we said over and over again it needs to stop, and it's not going to stop with California, your (blue) state will be next.


I don't take any joy in this being right but PLEASE realize your state will be next. Call your senators, governors, anything you can do. And get ready and be organized with protests. If it's not in your backyard yet it will be. Don't wait for it, act now.

speedk0re

Ordered by trump to distract from his pedophile Epstein situation?

dremonearm

GrandPaDon1961

I can’t imagine what Tucker and Carlson would say if Biden was deploying troops to Alabama and Mississippi. And their viewers would be totally right in their outrage. 

What’s hannity saying now I wonder?

“We like a big government that can meddle in the affairs of states and cities.”?

God we better win in 2026

lucasjkr

Because Ghislaine’s story sounds so fake

Agreeable_Crow789

The president of the United States of America must involve the insurrection act to make any of this a legal deployment. Just know that the party of states' rights is violating sovereignty because they hate America and the American way of life.

DragonTHC

Fuck every news outlet in this country. All of these dipshits carrying fascist water calling this shit a “crackdown” instead of an occupation of American cities

civil_politician

If it’s like what I understand what happened in DC they will wander around the rich areas and not focus on the 10 to 15 blocks in Chicago where much of the crime takes place. 

They would be better off taking the millions of dollars they are using on deployment and spend it to address some of the causes of crime in these areas like poverty, limited access to employment and education, and lack of other resources such as youth programs and employment training. 

quest814

Memphis has the highest crime rate of any US city. maybe he should deploy the military there

Slayriah

Finally, crime is out of control in the US! A felon rapist and many are saying child sex trafficker and raper is running free in DC! When will the military step up and arrest the felon?

masstransience

I guess Donald wants to raise Pritzker’s national profile by giving him the megaphone to fight back.

Oceanbreeze871

If even the Washington Post is calling it a crackdown instead of a military takeover we are completely fucked (and, yes, I understand Bezos is a Trump clown).

maxburke

We’re literally watching this admin lay the bricks for martial law and doing nothing to stop it.

BoxCarTyrone

tightandshiny

Yea. They’re testing the waters to suspend elections in blue cities. They say they’re war zones filled with crime, suspend elections, and then republicans win everything because blue cities aren’t allowed to vote

Ranec

It is time for a general strike. Past time.

sRW44

As a former Chicagoian (Roscoe Village) this is a BAD idea. Chicago will bite back without hesitation.

Edit to fix autocorrect

jeebee25

Yea good luck with that. Chicago is the home of the Labor movement in this country. Remember Mother Jones, remember Haymarket? You push we push harder.

According-Mention334

Don't sane wash this. Trump eyes further invasion.

RadicalOrganizer

We will not accept the military being deployed against the American people.

Reviews-From-Me

Amazing the jokes here. The states is literally becoming a police state, and people are just joking around. What happened to live free or die?

dentistshatehim

If this were what America pretends to be, the military would be met by armed civilians.

9_to_5_till_i_die

“Crackdown” more like punishment on population centers that didn’t vote for him.

He’s so small and pathetic. Like a spoiled 8 year old who didn’t get his way.

People didn't take him seriously, when he campaigned on this one day dictator statement... Sigh 😞 😡 🤬 🤬

brighteyescafe

The folks that have to run the logistics to deploy troops on this idiotic merry-go-round of nothing burger performative bullshittery must absolutely love all the paper work to generate these orders. That's right, did the National Guard or Marines sent to LA, actually ever get paid? Last thing I heard, since there were no official orders, the soldiers weren't being compensated. I lost track of whatever happened with that.

JustStuff03

If you hated Trump but were too precious to vote for Kamala Harris, this is on you. Let it wash over you

_wisky_tango_foxtrot

I really think he's trying to cause a riot so that way he can declare martial law and then say oh our country's under attack from within, no more elections

anonymouslyNovakane

I love the rhetoric that the French are pussies and we’re bad asses. The French would never have allowed what’s been happening like 9 constitutional crises ago…

MagnetizedMetal

How would people interpret this if it were happening in, say, Kazakhstan or Botswana?

aleph32

what a waste of fuckin time, money, and energy

RuggedAmerican

End3rWi99in

These measures are *not* intended to reduce crime, they're intended to centralize authoritarian control over parts of the country where political opposition is most prevalent.

This was always the goal... Trump's authoritarian takeover of D.C. was a test and a means of justifying this practice in other states.

And by "practice" I mean the militarization of domestic policy and the federalization of the military and local enforcement in areas of the country where the Trump regime isn't interested in reducing crime, but crushing protestors and all dissenting voices.

"Law and order" has been a conservative dog whistle for decades, and we know that Trump and MAGA don't care all that sincerely about the law because they believe they are above it—that the law applies disproportionately to their "enemies" and not to them.

Now, before Republicans begin whitewashing history related to the political realignment of the mid to late 20th century, I feel like I have to go off on a brief historical tangent:

Starting with how Republicans employed "the southern strategy" in the 1960s to draw white, southern conservative voters to the party who felt alienated and disarmed by civil rights movements and desegregation policies. The strategy also succeeded at inciting racial tensions and merging conservative and religious "values."

The strategy proved very effective.

By the 1980s, a new conservative movement had formed. Over the course of two decades, political figures like George Wallace, Barry Goldwater, William Rehnquist, Richard Nixon, and Ronald Reagan of course, used "Law and Order," "tough on crime" rhetoric and campaign talking points to engage with aggrieved white conservatives in the south. This language was riddled with dog whistles meant to inflame racial tensions and indoctrinate conservatives with fears of racial violence, desegregation, and black crime in their neighborhoods

Out of this movement also emerged the "moral majority," and a Christian fundamentalist revival that drew more and more conservatives to the Republican party

They also attracted white conservatives to the party by appealing to their grievances around how these deep societal changes were challenging the structural norms, myths, ideologies and hierarchies of a pre racial America and its dominant white culture.

The Conservative party today has deep roots in this movement and has grown increasingly more ethnocentrist as a result.

Today, their law and order rhetoric is rife with thinly veiled dog whistles meant to incite hostility towards minorities, immigrants and marginalized groups. It's also used to justify their blatant, authoritarian policies. To them, "law and order" means punishing their enemies.

Their obsession with crime and punishment is reflected in their support for these efforts that federalize troops and police to "crackdown" on political dissidents, in their militarization of domestic policy, in their weaponization of the DOJ, in their disregard for the basic constitutional rights of the people they target and detain, in Trump's attacks on law firms and judges, and in his reprimand of anyone who has ever tried to hold him accountable, among other things of course.

These tactics are taken directly from the fascist/dictator handbook. Trump and his followers will continue to support these measures until every "blue city" or so-called "democrat, crime ridden hell hole" is under their occupation.

Choice-of-SteinsGate

What happened to states rights and small government???  Hypocrites!

Nearbyatom

Fourwindsgone

Chicago is not even in the top 10 for violence in the US.

janzeera

He wants a public uprising. He wants mass protests, so he can declare martial law!

a-pilot

I can’t hold the military in the same esteem if they reduce themselves to being just armed agents who confront Trump critics.

Neither can they.

AntifascistAlly

falsekoala

Crackdown on what, exactly? Peace and quiet? Epstein questions?

DrinkOranginaNaked

The Pentagon is planning to deploy military forces to Chicago as part of efforts to address crime and homelessness.

Military Deployment in Chicago

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Public Sentiment Summary

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What the people want