During a press conference in the Oval Office, President Trump announced plans to deploy the National Guard to Chicago, emphasizing his commitment to addressing the city’s escalating violence. He criticized Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker for declining federal assistance to combat the surge in criminal activity, stating, “We’re going to do it anyway. We have the right to do it because I have an obligation to protect this country.”

The decision follows a violent Labor Day weekend in Chicago, during which at least 58 people were shot and eight killed, including a drive-by attack that injured seven. Trump reiterated his stance on Truth Social, calling Chicago “the worst and most dangerous city in the World, by far” and vowing to replicate his approach in Washington, D.C., where he claimed to have resolved crime and homelessness. He hinted at expanding federal intervention to other cities, including New York City and San Francisco.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Pritzker had previously opposed federal involvement, but Trump’s administration insists on taking action regardless of local objections. The president framed the move as a necessity for restoring safety, stating, “Chicago will be safe again, and soon.”