Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker warned he will not stand idly by if President Trump deploys National Guard troops to Chicago. (Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images)
Last week, the governor said there is no crime emergency in Chicago and Trump is "attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform, and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain he is causing working families."
"The safety of the people of Illinois is always my top priority," Pritzker said on Saturday. "There is no emergency that warrants the President of the United States federalizing the Illinois National Guard, deploying the National Guard from other states, or sending active duty military within our own borders. We will continue to follow the law, stand up for the sovereignty of our state, and protect the people of Illinois."
On Monday, Pritzker said the potential federal deployment is "unconstitutional" and "un-American."
"Donald Trump wants to use the military to occupy a U.S. city, punish its dissidents and score political points," he said. "If this were happening in any other country, we would have no trouble calling it what it is — a dangerous power grab."
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, also a Democrat, has cited data showing that violent crime has declined in the last year, including homicides and robberies dipping by more than 30%, and shootings dropping by nearly 40%. Although, crime is still up compared to 2021, according to statistics posted by Chicago police.
President Donald Trump speaks with members of law enforcement and National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
This comes after Trump's move to boost the presence of federal law enforcement in Washington, D.C., in an attempt to reduce crime.
Hundreds of federal agents and National Guard troops have been deployed to the streets of D.C. as part of the federal takeover of the district.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pritzker-says-action-met-response-after-trump-threatens-send-national-guard-chicago