Democrats Accuse Trump of Manufacturing Crisis to Justify Chicago National Guard Deployment

President Donald Trump has threatened to deploy federalized National Guard troops to cities including Chicago, Baltimore, and New York under the pretext of combating crime, despite significant declines in violent crime in these areas. Leading Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, have condemned these plans as politically motivated attempts to manufacture a crisis and distract from the administration's broader challenges. They argue Trump lacks the legal authority to unilaterally deploy troops over local objections, emphasizing that the National Guard typically operates under state control and can only be federalized in a national emergency or with gubernatorial consent. Pentagon officials have confirmed initial planning for potential deployments, but no formal orders have been issued, and state leaders have not received requests for assistance. Critics highlight that such military interventions undermine local law enforcement efforts and politicize the military, with concerns over the administration's expanded use of troops for immigration enforcement in several states. The White House maintains that federal intervention is necessary, citing concerns about crime rates, though evidence indicates crime has decreased in many targeted cities.