U.S. President Donald Trump has revealed that Chicago and New York could be the next American cities to see federal troops deployed, sparking sharp criticism from city leaders.
Speaking at a press conference in the Oval Office, Trump praised the recent National Guard presence in Washington, D.C., and suggested similar moves were likely elsewhere.
“I think Chicago will be our next, and then we’ll help with New York,” he stated.
The remarks came just days after Trump declared a public safety emergency in Washington, federalizing its police force and deploying hundreds of National Guard troops.
According to him, residents are eager for federal help. “African American ladies, beautiful ladies, are saying, ‘Please, President Trump, come to Chicago please.’ I did great with the Black vote as you know, and they want something to happen,” he added.
Chicago’s Mayor Brandon Johnson quickly condemned the idea, calling it both dangerous and unlawful.
In his response, Johnson stressed that such actions could worsen tensions between police and local communities.
“Certainly, we have grave concerns about the impact of any unlawful deployment of National Guard troops to the City of Chicago. The problem with the President’s approach is that it is uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound,” the mayor said.
He further explained that community trust was essential in addressing crime.
“Unlawfully deploying the National Guard to Chicago has the potential to inflame tensions between residents and law enforcement when we know that trust between police and residents is foundational to building safer communities,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser also rejected Trump’s claims about crime in the capital, pointing out that violent crime there is at a 30-year low.
“We are not experiencing a crime spike,” Bowser told MSNBC.
The issue of deploying National Guard units has also sparked legal challenges.
Outside Washington, these troops operate under the authority of state governors, not the federal government.
California has already sued Trump’s administration for attempting to use its National Guard without Governor Gavin Newsom’s approval to assist with immigration raids.
Governor Newsom warned that more states should expect similar moves.
“This is a preview of things to come, if you think this is about California, you are fooling yourself. These are operations you are going to see all across the United States of America,” he cautioned.
The possibility of deploying troops in Chicago and New York has fueled a nationwide debate about public safety, executive authority, and the limits of federal power.
While Trump insists his measures are designed to restore order, critics argue that such steps could erode trust, inflame communities, and push constitutional boundaries.
