Trump Administration Labels Chicago War Zone Amid National Guard Deployment

President Donald Trump authorized the deployment of 300 National Guard troops to Chicago despite opposition from local Democratic leaders, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem describing the city as a "war zone." Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot strongly opposed the move, accusing Republicans of manufacturing unrest to justify increased military presence. A CBS poll revealed that 42 percent of Americans support National Guard deployments to cities, while 58 percent oppose them. Trump continued his hardline rhetoric by falsely claiming Portland is "burning to the ground," although a federal judge blocked troop deployment there, ruling the president's justification was not supported by the facts. House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed Trump's language by calling Washington, D.C., a "literal war zone." The judicial ruling emphasized constitutional limits on domestic military action amid ongoing political tensions over law enforcement and immigration crackdowns in Democratic-led cities.