President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he intends to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago, a city he described as a "hellhole" plagued by gun violence. During an event in the Oval Office, Trump stated, "We're going in," but did not provide specific details about when the deployment would occur or the number of troops involved. He also mentioned that Baltimore could be another city targeted for federal intervention.

Trump has been vocal about his plans to address crime in cities like Chicago and Baltimore, arguing that local leaders have failed to manage rising violence. He cited alarming crime statistics, saying, "I have an obligation when 20 people are killed over the last two and a half weeks and 75 are shot with bullets." He emphasized that his actions are not politically motivated, despite the cities being led by Democratic officials.

The president's comments have drawn sharp criticism from local leaders. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who has been a vocal opponent of Trump's plans, called the president's remarks "unhinged" and stated, "Chicago does not want troops on our streets." Pritzker pointed out that crime rates in Chicago have actually decreased, with murders down by nearly 50 percent over the past four years. He accused Trump of using the situation for political gain rather than genuinely seeking to improve public safety.

In response to Trump's announcement, Pritzker expressed his intention to fight any troop deployment in court, asserting that the federal government should not intervene in local law enforcement matters. He also warned that Trump could use any excuse to send military personnel into the city.

The potential deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago would likely face legal challenges. While the D.C. National Guard is under presidential control, state National Guard units are typically managed by their respective governors. Trump previously called California's National Guard into federal service without Governor Gavin Newsom's consent, leading to a lawsuit that raised questions about the legality of such actions.

In addition to Chicago, Trump has previously deployed National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, citing similar concerns about crime and unrest. However, a federal judge recently ruled that Trump's use of troops in Los Angeles violated the law, prohibiting them from performing police functions.

As tensions rise over the proposed deployment, protests have emerged in Chicago, with demonstrators voicing their opposition to Trump's plans. The situation continues to develop as local and federal leaders navigate the complexities of crime, governance, and public safety.