OPINION: J.B. Pritzker wants attention, but Chicago is really what needs it
Opinion | By Easton Martin | August 26, 2025
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has come out swinging against President Trump’s proposal to send National Guard troops to Chicago, blasting it as unconstitutional and un-American. But the governor’s fierce opposition says more about politics than public safety, especially as residents continue to live under the weight of crime and violence in cities like Chicago.
Pritzker insisted that Chicago does not want federal assistance, saying the president is not needed or welcome. He was joined by Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Mayor Brandon Johnson, who both argued that crime is “under control” and that troops would only escalate tensions. Yet these claims run against the daily experiences of families across the city who face carjackings, robberies, and gang activity. While statistics may show minor declines, Chicago still ranks among the nation’s most violent major cities. For many, Trump’s plan is a long-overdue step to restore order.
Legally, the governor has leaned on technicalities, pointing to the Insurrection Act and Posse Comitatus Act as barriers to a federal role. But the truth is that presidents have used troops before when local leaders failed to act. In moments of crisis, from desegregation battles in the South to riots in Los Angeles, federal intervention has proven necessary. To suggest that Chicago is somehow beyond such measures ignores both history and the realities on the ground.
What makes Pritzker’s pushback seem particularly hollow is the lack of alternatives. While he rails against Trump’s plan, he offers little in the way of concrete solutions that could immediately address the violence. Calling the move un-American does not comfort families who hear gunfire outside their windows. Dismissing the deployment as political theater does nothing for small business owners fearful of repeat break-ins. The people most affected by crime want safety, not slogans.
Pritzker’s resistance looks less like principled leadership and more like stubborn opposition. Trump’s proposal, while bold, reflects a willingness to act when local officials will not. The silly part is pretending that the status quo is acceptable when so many residents know better. For those living with the consequences of crime, action matters more than political speeches.
People are tired of governors such as Pritzker and Newsom who exist seemingly to oppose the president, perhaps in hopes of mounting support for a 2028 presidential run. While these governors are grandstanding on the national stage, the people they represent suffer from violent crime and poverty.
