CHICAGO (WGN) — As Illinois democrats ridicule and rebel against President Donald Trump's threat to deploy the military to Chicago to crack down on crime, it's worth noting the mission here would be somewhat different than what's happening in Washington, D.C.

"The president can federalize the National Guard but that authority is not absolute," said retired Major General David Harris who previously led the National Guard in Illinois. "He can do it in the event of an invasion. He can do it to put down a rebellion or to execute federal laws; but in this situation, I'm not sure what the reason is."

Trump Administration officials appear to acknowledge the need for a different approach in Chicago. Unlike in the District of Columbia, the president does not have the ability to direct a local may

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