CHICAGO — The “City of Big Shoulders,”
known for its diversity, resilience, and vibrant culture, is now preparing for what many see as a likely Trump-ordered deployment of federal immigration agents — and possibly even federal troops.
The word invasion feels appropriate. Chicago’s mayor opposes it. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker opposes it. Local advocacy groups that work with immigrants or campaign against violence oppose it. The people of Chicago oppose it. Yet, if federal forces come, they will be uninvited and unwelcome — their mission as pointless as a summer storm rolling off Lake Michigan.
Chicagoans don’t take kindly to outsiders stirring up trouble, and many believe Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown is nothing more than political theater — an attempt to flex federal muscle in Democratic-led cities.
“They Want to Inflame Something” — Illinois Governor Blasts Trump’s Plans
At an August 25, 2025 news conference, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker stood alongside Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and other leaders, condemning Trump’s rumored plan to deploy National Guard troops into Chicago.
“The intentions here are clear,” Pritzker said. “This isn’t about enforcing the law or keeping the peace. They want to inflame something. That’s the goal.”
Critics argue Trump is exploiting immigration raids and crime narratives to provoke protests and justify increased federal control.
Trump’s Rhetoric vs. Reality on Immigration and Crime
Trump repeatedly claims his administration is targeting dangerous criminals. However, ICE data shows 70% of people in ICE or CBP custody have no felony convictions.
Meanwhile, Chicago crime statistics tell a different story than the one Trump pushes. The city has seen a 32% drop in homicides and a nearly 40% decline in shootings, undermining claims of rising violent crime.
Analysts believe Trump’s focus isn’t on public safety but on generating fear and political chaos ahead of key elections.
Chicago Police and Community Leaders Push Back
Chicago Police officials have made it clear they will not assist federal immigration agents in carrying out raids.
Community organizers, faith leaders, and activists across the city are also preparing to resist — peacefully but firmly.
Rev. Tyrone McGowan of Progressive Community Church summed it up best in an interview with WBEZ Chicago:
“Our strength comes not from soldiers or military occupation, but from neighbors, community organizers, healthcare professionals, teachers, faith leaders, parents, youth, and elders — all choosing peace and unity over fear and division.
Chicago’s Long History of Protest
This wouldn’t be the first time Chicago has stood up against heavy-handed government actions.
In the 19th century, German and Irish immigrants were scapegoated for crime, leading to clashes with police.
The 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago erupted into days of violent clashes, as police, soldiers, and anti-war protesters filled the streets in one of the city’s most turbulent moments in history.
In 2006, hundreds of thousands marched against anti-immigration policies.
Earlier this year, tens of thousands gathered in Daley Plaza for the nationwide No Kings protest opposing Trump’s policies.
From immigrant rights to civil liberties, Chicago has always met federal overreach with resistance — and this time will be no different.
Chicago Prepares for Peaceful Resistance
Whether federal immigration agents or troops arrive, local leaders vow to organize, mobilize, and protect immigrant families.
With crime rates falling, community support rising, and a long tradition of protest behind them, Chicagoans are determined to ensure any federal action serves as yet another chapter in the city’s proud history of standing up for justice.
Chicago has never been a city that backs down. With a long tradition of activism and a deeply rooted culture of community, this city knows how to organize, resist, and fight back when outsiders try to push people around.
So, when Donald Trump labels Chicago as a violent war zone to defend his plan of sending federal troops or immigration agents, the people of Chicago see right through the political drama.
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Debunking the Myth: Chicago Is Not the “Violent Hellscape” Trump Claims
For years, Trump and his allies have used Chicago as a political punching bag, painting it as a lawless city to stoke fear among his base. The reality? It simply isn’t true.
Chicago has its challenges, as every major city does, but the violent crime rate per capita doesn’t even place the city in the top 10 for large U.S. cities. In fact, Little Rock, Arkansas ranks far higher at No. 4 — yet Trump isn’t sending troops there.
Instead, he clings to fear-mongering narratives to justify actions that have nothing to do with public safety and everything to do with political gain.
A City Known for Resistance and Resilience
Chicago isn’t just a city of skyscrapers and deep-dish pizza. It’s a place with a proud history of activism — from the labor movements of the early 20th century to the massive immigration protests of 2006 and the recent No Kings demonstrations against Trump’s administration.
This is the “City of the Big Shoulders,” as poet Carl Sandburg famously wrote in 1914:
I turn again to those who mock my city and answer with pride: Show me another place that stands tall, alive with spirit, proud, resilient, strong, and unshaken.
Those words still ring true today. Chicago is a city that works hard, stands tall, and fights back when pushed.
Chicago Will Not Bow to Trump’s Fear Tactics
If Trump sends troops or immigration agents, they’ll be met with organized, peaceful resistance from activists, community leaders, and everyday Chicagoans who refuse to let fear dictate their future.
This isn’t a city you intimidate. This is a city built on strength, resilience, and defiance — a place that stands firm and refuses to be intimidated by political agendas.
