Johnson calls sending National Guard to Chicago the ‘wrong solution’
The article discusses Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s opposition too the potential deployment of the National Guard to Chicago, a plan reportedly being finalized by the White House. Johnson argues that sending federal troops is the “wrong solution” and emphasizes his governance’s focus on addressing the root causes of crime through three main strategies: effective and law-abiding policing, violence prevention, and community investment. He highlights efforts such as using former gang members to de-escalate conflicts, providing employment opportunities, and rebuilding impoverished neighborhoods with affordable housing. Johnson also points to recent data showing Chicago experienced its fewest summer murders as 1965, suggesting that customary “tough on crime” tactics have not led to sustained crime reduction. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened federal intervention in Chicago to combat crime and illegal immigration, referring to the city as dangerous and criticizing local and state leaders. However, Johnson urges investments in long-term, community-focused solutions rather than military-style enforcement.
Brandon Johnson calls sending National Guard to Chicago the ‘wrong solution’ as White House finalizes plans
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is insisting that his administration’s focus on addressing the “root causes” of crime in the city will prove more effective than sending in the National Guard as he attempts to stave off President Donald Trump’s looming federal troop deployment.
Trump told reporters Sunday night he will make a decision about where to send troops within the “next day or two,” once again calling attention to Chicago — a city Trump has consistently threatened with a federal officer deployment over the last month since federalizing Washington, D.C.
“Chicago is a very dangerous place, and we have a governor that doesn’t care about crime, I guess. We could solve Chicago very quickly, but we’re going to make a decision as to where we go over the next day or two,” Trump told reporters on Sunday.
Johnson, a Democrat, has vehemently opposed Trump’s idea of sending federal troops to the Windy City since Trump ramped up his rhetoric toward Chicago in August. On Monday, the Chicago mayor formulated his thoughts into a New York Times opinion editorial, asserting that a “tough on crime” approach doesn’t work in Chicago.
“My administration has managed to make progress in crime reduction with three interconnected strategies: effective and law-abiding policing, violence prevention, and addressing the root causes of crime,” Johnson wrote.
Johnson said the city is investing in long-term strategies to build a better relationship between its police force and community. He said his administration is employing tactics such as using “former gang members to de-escalate conflicts,” connecting underserved Chicagoans to employment opportunities, and rebuilding impoverished sections of the city with affordable housing.
Trump posted a Truth Social meme on Saturday referencing the Vietnam War movie Apocalypse Now, threatening to use the newly renamed “Department of War” on the Windy City. Trump did clarify on Sunday, however, that his administration is “not going to war” with Chicago.
In his article, Johnson pointed to a Chicago local news outlet’s analysis that concluded the city saw the summer with the fewest murders since 1965 this year. He said simply adding a larger police presence and more troops has proven ineffective for the city.
“For much of the last six decades, Chicago’s leaders have pursued various ‘tough on crime’ strategies targeting guns, drugs, and gangs. Despite the significant resources devoted to these strategies, sustained reductions in crime proved elusive,” Johnson wrote.
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Trump border czar Tom Homan said on CNN’s State of the Union with Jake Tapper on Sunday that Chicago should “absolutely” expect to see a federal crackdown on illegal immigration this week. Homan said the administration will focus on sending “additional resources to the problem areas, which are sanctuary cities.” Chicago has been a sanctuary city for over 40 years.
Johnson did not reference immigration or Immigration and Customs Enforcement in his article and instead focused on the National Guard, ending with the plea, “We don’t need the National Guard; we just need to invest in what works.”
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