By Black Star News
Photos: YouTube Screenshots
Tuesday, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker held a press conference with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and other Illinois officials, to inform the public about the Trump Administration’s intentions to send ICE agents and National Guard troops into Chicago.
“None of this is about fighting crime or making Chicago safer. For Trump, it’s about testing his power and producing a political drama to cover up his corruption,” said Governor Pritzker. “We are ready to fight troop deployments in court and we will do everything possible to ensure that agents operating inside the confines of this state do so in a legal and ethical manner.”
“We stand united, as the State of Illinois, Cook County, and the City of Chicago, to send a clear message to the White House: we do not want or need a military occupation of our city. We do not want or need militarized immigration enforcement in our city. We need to reverse the devastating cuts that this president has made to the ATF, violence prevention organizations, and Medicaid. We build safer communities by investing in people, not by sending in the military,” said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
“Over the last three years, Cook County alone has invested over $110 million in Community Violence Intervention and other evidence-backed violence prevention strategies and will soon launch a new capacity building network to provide tailored training and technical assistance that strengthens organizations, maximizing their impact in communities,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “Consequentially, we have seen a 35% drop in gun homicides from this time last year and a 45% drop in gun homicides from 2021 in Cook County. Strategic investments work. Meanwhile, Trump’s agenda to deploy federal troops, freeze $158 million in funding for violence prevention programs in cities like Chicago, dismantle the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and terminate more than $800 million in anti-violence grants nationwide undercuts efforts while showcasing reckless actions and fear tactics that will disproportionately impact the communities that have been most harmed by gun violence.”
“Even though we do not yet know what form this federal operation will take, we have been and continue to review all legal tools available,” said Attorney General Kwame Raoul. “Federal law limits the federal government’s ability to use the military for domestic law enforcement, and the U.S. Constitution gives Congress sole authority to decide the circumstances that allow the president to federalize the National Guard. The requirements for such deployment do not exist in Chicago, and I will not hesitate to take action to protect our residents if this administration breaks the law or violates our Constitution.”
“I’ve dedicated my entire career to creating safer communities across Illinois; I’ve worked to find the root causes of violence and led initiatives under our administration that have made progress in reducing crime. I’ve had countless conversations with people impacted by crime, and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that no one has ever suggested that militarizing our city is a solution,” said Lt Governor Juliana Stratton. “Our administration is working closely with community and advocacy organizations to prepare resources ahead of this attack. While we can’t take the fear of this moment away, we can help equip Illinois for whatever comes next. No matter what, Governor Pritzker and I are with you, Illinois. Our only way forward is together.”
During the press conference, Governor Pritzker emphasized four key pieces of information:
- Trump is currently positioning armed federal agents on federal property in the Chicago region;
- Trump will send unidentified agents in unmarked vehicles to raid Latino communities, similar to what occurred in Los Angeles;
- Trump will deploy the National Guard and/or active-duty military into the city, and will fabricate any occurrence as rationale to do so; and
- Finally, after a month or so, Trump will pick up and send the military to the next blue state – despite cities in red states having higher rates of violent crime.
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