U.S. President Donald Trump just dropped a bombshell 💣: after sending D.C. National Guard troops and federal agents onto the streets to “reduce crime,” he’s eyeing Chicago next. “Chicago is a mess… we'll straighten that one out probably next,” he told reporters, also warning Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser to “get her act straight” or risk a federal takeover.
While Trump insists violent crime is “out of control” in the nation’s capital, recent stats actually show crime has fallen since its 2023 peak. Unlike other cities, Washington is a federal district established by the Constitution and overseen by Congress, not a state—so Trump does have more direct say there.
When asked how he’d do the same in Chicago or New York, Trump stayed vague. Under the U.S. Constitution’s Tenth Amendment, the feds generally can’t commandeer state or city cops unless citizens’ rights are at risk. But Trump’s critics see this as a power play, expanding presidential reach over cities led by Democrats.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called Trump’s threats “uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound.” He says there are better federal solutions to curb crime—sending troops isn’t one. In contrast, New York has steadily cut violent crime over the decades, now ranking among the safer big U.S. cities.
Whether this bold approach grows into a full-blown federal takeover remains up in the air. But one thing’s clear: Trump’s tough-on-crime message is set to shake up the discussion on Washington, Chicago, and beyond. 🌍
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Trump threatens federal intervention in Chicago, following D.C.
cgtn.com
