The remarks come after President Donald Trump on Tuesday said ‘we’re going in’ to the crime-heavy Midwest city.
Vice President JD Vance said the administration has “no immediate plans” to deploy the National Guard to Chicago, after some remarks from President Donald Trump indicated that such a deployment could happen.
Vance’s remarks come after Trump on Sept. 2 said, “We’re going in,” referring to the crime-heavy Midwest city, where more than 50 people were shot and eight killed during the recent Labor Day weekend.
In a Truth Social post about crime rates in the city, Trump referenced these statistics.
“The last two weekends were similar,” Trump wrote.
“Chicago is the worst and most dangerous city in the World, by far.”
He said that Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker “needs help badly.”
Trump referenced his recent deployment of the National Guard to Washington, D.C., a federal district where he has a path to do so. He suggested the same could happen in Chicago.
“Chicago will be safe again,” he wrote.
Both Trump and Vance have been ambivalent about whether the National Guard will be sent to Chicago. On Sept. 2, Trump noted to reporters, “I didn’t say when we’re going in.”
On Sept. 3, he told reporters that troops could possibly be sent to Chicago “or a place like New Orleans.”
When asked about Trump’s remarks on the issue on Sept. 3, as well as questions about the timing and size of the potential deployment, Vance told reporters that “there are no immediate plans” for deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago.
Last month, Trump federalized the Washington Metropolitan Police Department under a provision of the Home Rule Act.
The administration says the move fits into a larger goal of “beautification” of the capital city, including a crackdown on crime and homelessness. Trump is also requiring that federal buildings in Washington use the classical architectural style.
By Joseph Lord
