Federal Troops Deployed to Chicago After Trump Declares City a ‘War Zone’

Amidst rising tensions, the Trump administration deployed federal troops to Chicago on Sunday, a move that has been strongly opposed by local Democratic leaders. This decision comes amidst claims the President is using law enforcement and military forces to exert political control over cities governed by Democrats. The ongoing political struggle is centered around disagreements over law enforcement and immigration strategies. Trump has repeatedly called for tougher measures in cities he describes as lawless, recently speaking of a ‘war from within.’ The plan to deploy troops faced a legal obstacle when a federal court in Portland, Oregon, blocked the move, finding the administration’s justification legally insufficient. In Chicago, the situation intensified over the weekend, involving a shooting by a federal officer of a motorist, and another incident where officers shot and killed Silverio Villegas Gonzales, a 38-year-old immigrant during a traffic stop. Furthermore, the Trump administration has expanded the scope of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with recent raids often taking place in unmarked vehicles, which has led to protests in several Democrat-controlled cities. A CBS News poll revealed that a majority of Americans disapprove of deploying National Guard troops in cities, although the White House appears undeterred.