Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and numerous other elected Democrats gathered near the banks of the Chicago River Monday and blasted the administration’s plans to send the military to Chicago, calling it illegal and unconstitutional.

“So in case there was any doubt as to the motivation behind Trump's military occupations, take note. 13 of the top 20 cities in homicide rate have Republican governors. None of these cities is Chicago,” Pritzker said.

Before the press conference, Gov. Pritzker took a Chicago water taxi from down the Chicago river to show members of the press how safe the city is.

Overall, violent crime in Chicago dropped significantly in the first half of 2025, representing the steepest decline in over a decade, according to police data. Shootings and homicides were down more than 30% in the first half of the year compared to the same time last year, and total violent crime dropped by over 22%.

Mayor Johnson said Chicago is being targeted by the Trump administration ”because of what and who we represent.”

Others in attendance included the U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin, the Senate’s No. 2 Democrat, along with pastors, activists and congressmen.

Pritzker and Johnson have both said they’ll sue over the deployment. But Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said it was unclear when that would happen.

“Mr. President, do not come to Chicago,” Pritzker said. “You are neither wanted here nor needed here.”

AP Video shot by Obed Lamy