President Donald Trump has instructed aides to prepare for a possible deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago, saying a surge in violent crime — including six deaths and 27 injuries over the weekend — warrants federal intervention. During a cabinet meeting he asserted he has “the right to do anything I want to do” to restore order and repeated that Governor JB Pritzker should request federal help. Pritzker, joined by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, rejected the idea as unnecessary and unconstitutional, declaring, “Mr. President, do not come to Chicago. You are neither wanted here nor needed here.” State and city officials said overall homicides are down roughly one-third this year and vowed to pursue legal avenues to block any unilateral deployment. Planning documents obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times show the Department of Homeland Security intends to house Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents — and potentially Guard units — at Naval Station Great Lakes from 2 to 30 September for operations focused on downtown Chicago. Illinois senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth warned the move would divert military resources and violate state sovereignty. The confrontation extends Trump’s broader strategy of using federal forces in Democratic-led cities; more than 2,200 Guard troops remain on patrol in Washington, D.C. Business leaders and civic groups in Chicago note that murders fell 32 percent in the first half of 2025 and investment is returning to the city, arguing that a military presence would undercut the recovery rather than improve public safety.