Chicago is the latest city on President Donald Trump’s federal takeover checklist. And although he hasn’t pulled the trigger yet, folks online have interesting thoughts on the state of crime in Chicago and if sending in the military– as Trump did with Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles– is even necessary.
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While Ill. Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson continue to dismiss the need for National Guard presence in the city with a 29 percent Black population, a shocking amount of Black folks are actually coming to Trump’s defense.
“The same white democrats who claim to care so much about Black people are the same ones protesting the federal government coming in to help Chicago crack down on its crime,” @the_jefferymead tweeted. “They care more about opposing Donald Trump than they do about helping the people being terrorized by crime.”
The mayor’s office reported that in the first six months of 2025, Chicago saw a 33 percent reduction in homicides and 38 percent in shootings. Still, violent crime has plagued the city’s reputation for decades. Over Labor Day weekend, Chicago police reported 54 people were shot, and seven were killed, according to NBC Chicago.
“They claimed there’s no crime problem in Chicago. Say that to the families of the eight murdered this weekend, or the six the week before, or the thousands who have been murdered over the years,” @GiannoCaldwell tweeted.
Many folks said the city has a clear issue with crime. “With all the dead Black people in Chicago, it’s fascinating that there are people who believe that Black on Black crime doesn’t exist,” @drboycewatkins1 wrote. “We are a small percentage of the population and should not be dying this much.”
In 2024, Chicago ranked 92nd in violent crime per 100,000 people in the nation, according to FBI data. Chicago was eighth in robberies and also had the 22nd highest murder rate.
“These Democratic cities invest in crime,” @thecandiedcapricorn said on TikTok. “There’s no progress,” she continued adding that Democrats are blinded by their hatred for Trump, and they’re willing to let Black communities suffer. “We’re tired of dodging f*****g bullets.”
@hyacinthlc took to TikTok to say, “I am convinced that the people that are in Chicago that are protesting Trump sending the National Guard simply enjoy and do not want change in their city.” She continued, “When you’re desperate and you’re hungry, just take what somebody is willing to give you,” referring to Trump’s alleged attempt to tackle crime by sending the military.
Other folks online said public opinion would be different if it was former Barack Obama ordering the Guard to Chicago. “…Everyone would’ve jumped for joy,” @JaymalGreen said on X. “I hate the fact that no one respects the office because they hate Trump and want to play politics. It needs to end.”
But while more Black people are expressing their frustration with the violence in Chicago, others believe Trump is simply trying to spin this narrative for political gain. “Chicago is thriving. It’s safe, it’s welcoming, it’s the best city in the world—and no Trump spin can change that,” Lt. Ill. Gov. Juliana Stratton wrote on X.
@51mojeezy said the National Guard probably won’t change anything. “Could it bring crime down temporarily down with their presence? Maybe.” He continued, “Is it unconstitutional what Donald Trump is doing? Yes.”
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