Pentagon Plans Military Deployment in Chicago, Sparking Political Row

CHICAGO — The U.S. government's defence department is reportedly drafting plans to send troops into Chicago, a move that's fuelling a major political conflict. The plan, which has been in the works for several weeks, could see thousands of National Guard members mobilised in the city as early as September. American President Donald Trump has been vocal about his aim to crack down on crime, homelessness, and illegal immigration in cities run by Democratic leaders.

The news has been met with immediate and strong criticism from local leaders. The Democratic Governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker, said his state has not asked for help and that there is no emergency to justify a military deployment. He accused President Trump of trying to "manufacture a crisis" and use the armed forces for political reasons. Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago also voiced grave concerns, calling the approach "uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound." He pointed out that homicides in the city have fallen by more than 30% and robberies by 35% over the past year, arguing that a federal military presence could undo this progress.

This proposed deployment follows a similar operation in Washington, D.C., where Republican governors have sent troops at President Trump's request. The President has claimed the nation's capital is rife with crime, although official data shows violent crime there reached a 30-year low last year. The Pentagon stated it would not speculate on future operations, but confirmed it is continuously planning to protect federal property and personnel.

This is more than just a security measure; it's a battle over who holds the power to decide how a city is governed.

(Source: reporting from the Washington Post, CBS News and WTTW News)