Washington, Aug 23, 2025 – After deploying the National Guard in Washington DC, US President Donald Trump has now set his sights on Chicago, signaling that the federal government could soon launch a similar operation there. The move comes as part of Trump’s broader campaign to curb crime, homelessness, and illegal stay in major American cities.
Speaking at the White House Oval Office, Trump claimed Washington has now become “one of the safest cities in the world” under his administration’s security push. “After this, Chicago will be our next city,” he declared, hinting at wider federal intervention in urban crime control. He also named Los Angeles, New York, Baltimore, and Oakland as “disturbed cities” that may face similar measures in the near future.
National Guard Mobilization
Earlier this month, on August 11, Trump announced the deployment of National Guard soldiers to Washington, citing what he described as a crime “emergency.” According to a White House release, more than 1,900 Guard members have been mobilized from several states including West Virginia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Ohio, Louisiana, and Tennessee.
On August 21, Trump personally met National Guard troops and law enforcement officers in Southeastern Washington, reaffirming his determination to extend the campaign to other cities. CNN, quoting a senior US defense official, reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed Guard members patrolling Washington to carry their service weapons — a departure from the Pentagon’s earlier guidelines that allowed weapon deployment only if the situation demanded it.
A Divided Narrative on Crime
Trump’s declaration of a “crime emergency” in Washington DC has sparked a debate. While the President insists crime is “out of control,” city officials argue otherwise. DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson said violent crime rates have not only declined since 2023 but are also lower than pre-pandemic levels in 2019, marking a 30-year low.
Critics claim Trump’s approach is more about political optics than public safety, accusing him of portraying Democratic-led cities as weak to score political points. Supporters, however, argue that the deployment is necessary to restore law and order in areas plagued by rising crime and homelessness.
Chicago in Focus
Chicago has long been a political talking point when it comes to crime in America. Trump’s fresh announcement that the city could be the “next target” of federal intervention has reignited controversy. Many local leaders fear such action could inflame tensions rather than resolve them.
As Trump pushes forward with his “law and order” strategy, the coming weeks will determine whether Chicago — and possibly other cities — become the next battlegrounds in his war on urban crime.