Illinois governor JB Pritzker, speaking on August 31, suggested that former President Donald Trump's troop deployments to cities are motivated by a desire to influence the 2026 midterm elections. "He wants to stop the 2026 election, or frankly, control it," Pritzker said. "He's going to declare that there's something wrong with the election and then send troops in."
The US midterm elections, scheduled for November 3, 2026, will see voters elect all 435 members of the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 Senate seats.
Trump previously deployed troops to Los Angeles, California, to quell protests and to Washington, D.C. to address crime. He has stated he is considering similar action in Baltimore, Maryland, Chicago, Illinois, and other cities. These three states are all Democratic strongholds.
Pritzker stated the Trump administration has not coordinated these troop deployment plans with Illinois officials. He warned that any such deployments against the state's wishes would be considered "an invasion".
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Illinois Governor JB Pritzker in Chicago on 25/8. Photo: AFP |
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker in Chicago on 25/8. Photo: AFP
US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem previously announced increased resources for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Illinois, adding that the decision to deploy the National Guard or other forces rests with President Trump.
"If troops are deployed alongside ICE, they'll be in court very quickly, because it's illegal," Pritzker said.
Chicago, Illinois, with a population of 2.7 million, has recorded the highest number of homicides nationwide for the past 13 years, with 573 in 2024. However, its per capita homicide rate is lower than some other major cities like St. Louis, Detroit, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.
Chicago faces complex challenges related to drug crime, gangs, immigration, and homelessness. However, Mayor Brandon Johnson reported a decrease in homicides by over 30%, robberies by 35%, and shootings by 40% this year.
Ngoc Anh (According to AFP)
