Chicago mayor says no police aid for National Guard or federal agents

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
31 Aug 2025 08:36

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order declaring that city police will not cooperate with any National Guard or federal agent deployment as ordered by Donald Trump, citing threats to civil liberties.

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Members of an Illinois National Guard Military Police stand a post, Monday, June 1, 2020, at a security perimeter on Chicago's near Southside. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced on Saturday, August 30, that city police will not cooperate with any National Guard troops or federal agents if US President Donald Trump moves forward with a threatened deployment to the city.

Speaking alongside other city leaders, the Democratic mayor signed an executive order aimed at preparing for a possible federal law enforcement operation. Johnson called on Trump to reconsider, warning of the potential erosion of civil liberties.

"This is about making sure that we are prepared," Johnson told reporters while signing the order, which aims to offer "real, clear guidance" to city employees and all residents of Chicago on how to stand up against what he described as tyranny.

The executive order explicitly states that Chicago police will continue enforcing state and local laws but will not engage in any joint patrols, arrests, or enforcement actions with federal agents or National Guard troops.

It also instructs officers to maintain transparency by wearing their official uniforms, following body camera protocols, and avoiding masks to ensure a clear distinction from any federal operations.

Trump threatens deployment amid crime claims

The order criticizes the unilateral deployment of federal military forces, declaring it a violation of the city’s sovereignty that "threatens civil liberties and risks escalating violence rather than securing the peace."

Trump has signaled interest in expanding federal crackdowns to Democrat-led cities like Chicago, citing crime as justification, even as city officials report decreases in homicides, gun violence, and burglaries.

Legal and political pushback from Illinois officials

Chicago officials and residents have been bracing for potential action, with Johnson stating they received credible reports suggesting a deployment could occur within days.

In response, Johnson said the city is considering all available legal and legislative avenues, including potential lawsuits. "We will use the courts if that's necessary," he said.

The White House dismissed the move, accusing Democratic leaders of politicizing crime. "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," said White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker echoed Johnson’s stance, affirming that the president lacks the legal authority to deploy troops without state approval. Unlike Washington, which is under direct federal jurisdiction, deployments in Illinois require coordination with state leadership.

While the president has limited power to deploy the National Guard without consent, there are no restrictions on sending federal law enforcement officers, such as ICE agents, to cities. Previous National Guard deployments in Chicago were carried out in coordination with local and state officials.