Trump Signals Chicago ICE Raids With 300 Federal Agents Expected

President Donald Trump has announced an imminent escalation of immigration enforcement operations in Chicago, warning the city with a dramatic AI-generated image referencing the film "Apocalypse Now" and rebranding the Department of Defense as the "Department of War." Federal agencies, including ICE, Customs and Border Patrol, and the Department of Homeland Security, are preparing to deploy at least 300 agents to the Great Lakes Naval Base near Chicago for a large-scale immigration crackdown expected to last around 45 days. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker condemned Trump's warnings as threatening and undemocratic, expressing concern about the federal government's approach and its impact on local communities. Meanwhile, National Guard members from Indiana and Louisiana will provide administrative support to the enforcement efforts, although they will not directly participate in arrests. The planned raids coincide with Mexican Independence Day celebrations in Chicago, prompting some organizers to cancel or postpone events amid fears of immigration enforcement activity. Vice President J.D. Vance affirmed the president's legal authority to act decisively to protect American citizens, emphasizing readiness to intervene if necessary.