On Saturday, Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago announced that the city’s police department will not collaborate with any federal agents or National Guard troops if President Donald Trump proceeds with his plan to deploy them to the city. Surrounded by other city leaders, Johnson signed an executive order to prepare Chicago for a potential federal operation, calling Trump’s threat “tyranny” and urging him to reconsider.
Johnson emphasized, “This is about making sure we are prepared,” and stressed that the order provides “real, clear guidance” for city employees and residents on how to resist federal interference.
Executive Order Limits Police Authority
The new order instructs Chicago police to continue enforcing state and local laws but prohibits them from taking part in federal patrols, arrests, or other law enforcement actions. Officers are also required to wear official uniforms, display body cameras, and avoid masks to prevent them from being mistaken for federal agents.
The order warns that deploying federal forces without local approval “undermines democratic norms, threatens civil liberties, and risks escalating violence rather than securing peace.”
White House Dismisses Mayor’s Action
The White House has rejected Johnson’s order, accusing Democrats of politicizing crime. “If these Democrats focused on fixing crime in their own cities instead of doing publicity stunts to criticize the President, their communities would be much safer,” said White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson.
Potential Legal Conflict Looms
While it remains unclear how much authority state and local officials have to block federal deployments, Johnson stated that the city is considering lawsuits and other legal measures. “We will use the courts if that’s necessary,” he told reporters. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, has also insisted that Trump lacks the legal authority to send troops without state consent.
