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Mayors

Chicago Mayor Rejects National Guard Deployment, Blames 'Red States' for City's Crime Problem

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the mayor of Chicago, a city with the highest number of homicides in the country, Brandon Johnson has been vocal in his criticism of the Trump administration's offer to deploy the National Guard. Instead, Johnson has attributed the city's crime problem to the influx of guns from "red states" such as Mississippi, Indiana, and Louisiana. Johnson has requested federal assistance, but specifically not additional law enforcement officers or the National Guard. He argues that the federal government must step up to stop interstate gun trafficking networks.

Key Takeaways:

  • Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has rejected the Trump administration's offer to deploy the National Guard to help with the city's crime problem.
  • Johnson has attributed the city's high crime rate to the influx of guns from "red states" such as Mississippi, Indiana, and Louisiana.
  • Johnson has requested federal assistance to stop interstate gun trafficking networks.
  • Chicago has had more homicides than any other city in the nation over the last two years, with 617 in 2023 and 573 in 2024.
  • Chicago is the third-largest city in the U.S. and has regularly been listed among the cities with the most homicides each year.
  • Illinois State Rep. Anne Stava-Murray (D-Naperville) had previously suggested that Johnson be impeached over his handling of the city's crime problem.

Statistics:

  • Chicago police officers have taken over 24,000 guns off the streets of Chicago since Johnson took office.
  • Chicago has had more homicides than any other city in the nation over the last two years, with 617 in 2023 and 573 in 2024.
  • The vast majority of guns in Chicago do not come from the city itself, but are trafficked in from other states.

Sources:

  • "Crime in US Cities as Trump Aims to Expand Crackdown: Latest Coverage"
  • "CRIME IN US CITIES AS TRUMP AIMS TO EXPAND CRACKDOWN: LATEST COVERAGE"
  • "Chicago is the third-largest city in the U.S. and is regularly listed among the cities with the most homicides each year." (Source: The Gazette, Colorado Springs, Colo.)
  • "Chicago has had more homicides than any other city in the nation over the last two years, with 617 in 2023 and 573 in 2024." (Source: The Gazette, Colorado Springs, Colo.)
  • "Chicago Mayor Rejects National Guard Deployment, Blames 'Red States' for City's Crime Problem" (Source: The Gazette, Colorado Springs, Colo.)
  • "Chicago's mayor, Brandon Johnson, has been the mayor of the city since May 15, 2023." (Source: The Gazette, Colorado Springs, Colo.)

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