Trump lacks justification for troop deployment in Chicago, asserted Democratic leader Jeffries

In a series of statements and suggestions, former US President Donald Trump has expressed interest in expanding his crime crackdown to Democratic-led cities, particularly Chicago and Baltimore. However, his proposals have met with resistance and potential legal challenges.

Trump has hinted at the possibility of deploying troops to Democratic-run Baltimore, a move that would require the approval of Governor Wes Moore. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that he would send troops to Baltimore if Governor Moore requests help. However, Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic House of Representatives Minority Leader, has asserted that Trump does not have the authority to deploy troops to Chicago, let alone Baltimore.

Trump may argue that local laws in Chicago, a sanctuary city, prevent him from executing the law, justifying a military presence. This assertion, however, has not been substantiated. The plans for a potential deployment are part of the military's efforts to anticipate any requests by Trump, according to one official.

In Chicago, crime, including murders, has declined in the last year. However, JB Pritzker, the Democratic governor of Illinois, which includes Chicago, has stated that there is no emergency warranting the deployment of the National Guard or other military. Governor Pritzker has criticized Trump's plan, calling it an abuse of power.

The state where legal challenges might arise if U.S. President Donald Trump sends National Guard units to the Democrat-led city of Chicago is Illinois. If Trump were to use Section 12406 of Title 10 of the US Code, as he did earlier this year against the objections of Governor Gavin Newsom in California, he is likely to face legal challenges in sending National Guard troops from Republican-led states into Democratic strongholds.

Meanwhile, in Baltimore, the Baltimore police department reported a double-digit reduction in gun violence compared to the previous year in July. Despite this, Trump has criticized Democratic Governor Wes Moore over crime levels in the city. Baltimore has had 84 homicides so far this year, the fewest in over 50 years, according to the mayor.

The Pentagon has carried out initial planning for a possible deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago. However, senior Pentagon officials have not yet been briefed on these plans. Some Republican governors have sent hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington, DC, at Trump's request, but it remains unclear whether similar support would be forthcoming for Chicago or Baltimore.

Hakeem Jeffries described any move to deploy troops to Chicago as an attempt by Trump to manufacture a crisis. Governor Pritzker of Illinois has echoed this sentiment, calling Trump's plan an abuse of power. As the political landscape continues to evolve, it remains uncertain whether Trump's proposals for military intervention in Democratic-led cities will come to fruition.

Trump lacks justification for troop deployment in Chicago, asserted Democratic leader Jeffries