Mayor Endorses 'Freedom to Demonstrate' Decree in Response to Increased Presence of ICE Officers in Chicago's Region
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Responds to Trump's Plans for National Guard Deployment
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has responded to former U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement to send National Guard troops to Chicago, citing high crime rates. Trump's proposal has been met with criticism from Johnson, who accused the ex-president of being obsessed with militarizing cities.
Johnson, during a press conference on Tuesday, responded calmly to questions regarding Trump's plans. He reaffirmed protections for people demonstrating against federal actions in Chicago with an executive order, titled the 'Right to Protest.' However, he did not repeat his stance against federal troops helping to make Chicago's streets safer.
The Mayor's decision to sign the 'Right to Protest' executive order came after Trump's immigration crackdown and potential National Guard deployment in the Chicago area. Johnson cited the recent clash at the ICE processing facility in Broadview as the reason for the order. He also took proactive steps to protect the rights of people to publicly demonstrate.
In contrast, Trump described Chicago as a 'death trap' and stated that if the city loses less than six or seven people a week with murder, it's doing a great job. Trump's plan to send federal troops to Chicago has touched a nerve with Johnson, who called the obsession with militarizing cities a 'sickness.'
Johnson has not been asked to send federal troops into Chicago to make it safe. In fact, last month, he signed the 'Protecting Chicago' executive order against Trump's immigration crackdown and potential National Guard deployment in the Chicago area. Despite Trump's criticism of Chicago's high crime rates, Johnson noted the city's reduction in violent crime this year.
Johnson's response to Trump's plans echoes his earlier criticism of militarizing cities. He referenced Dr. Martin Luther King in his criticism, stating that there are no circumstances under which troops should be deployed to cities across America. Johnson bristled at Trump's plan to send federal troops to Chicago, stating that such a move would only escalate tensions and not solve the root causes of crime.
In conclusion, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has responded calmly but firmly to former President Donald Trump's plans to send National Guard troops to Chicago. He has taken proactive steps to protect the rights of his citizens and has reaffirmed his stance against militarizing cities. Johnson's response serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding civil liberties and addressing the root causes of crime in a constructive manner.
