Chicago braced for National Guard as Donald Trump vows crime crackdown | BBC News

Chicago is preparing for a potential deployment of National Guard troops, ordered by President Trump due to rising crime rates. The city's Democratic leadership, however, plans to resist this move, viewing it as a pretext for an immigration crackdown. This decision comes as Chicago has seen a significant drop in violent crime over the past two years, a result of community-led initiatives focused on youth intervention and crime prevention.

Local residents and community workers, who feel they are already the "troops" on the ground through their preventative efforts, question the necessity of federal intervention. They argue that current strategies are yielding positive results and that changing leadership would disrupt progress. This situation highlights the deep political divisions in America, with the threat of federal troops resonating differently across neighborhoods.

While some residents express fear of escalating crime and support for stricter measures, others, particularly in Latino communities, fear that the troop deployment is a cover for immigration raids, leading to widespread anxiety and a reluctance to go out. Ultimately, for many in Chicago, the complex social issues contributing to crime require solutions beyond a military presence.

• President Trump has ordered the deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago, citing "out-of-control crime."
• Chicago's Democratic leadership intends to resist the deployment, viewing it as a front for an immigration crackdown.
• Violent crime in Chicago has seen a significant drop over the last two years due to citywide crime prevention plans.
• Community workers and residents feel they are already the "troops" addressing crime and question the need for federal intervention.
• Concerns exist in Latino neighborhoods about potential immigration raids accompanying the troop deployment, causing fear and anxiety.

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President Trump's National Guard Order [0:00]

• President Trump has ordered the deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago.
• The stated reason for the deployment is "out-of-control crime."
• This follows similar moves in Los Angeles and Washington.

The city of Chicago is gearing up for an expected deployment of National Guard troops ordered by Donald Trump over what he calls outofcontrol crime.

This section introduces the core conflict: President Trump's decision to send National Guard troops to Chicago due to crime concerns, and the city's reaction to this order.

Chicago's Democratic Leadership Resists [0:23]

• Chicago's Democrat leadership is vowing to resist the deployment.
• They are challenging the President's authority to deploy forces.
• They believe the move is a front for an immigration crackdown.

But Chicago's Democrat leadership is vowing to resist challenging his authority to deploy forces and saying the move is a front for an immigration crackdown.

This part details the official opposition from Chicago's city government, highlighting their legal challenges and their interpretation of the President's motives.

Community Efforts and Crime Reduction [0:40]

• On Chicago's south side, many are focused on a different battle: "for the souls of the young."
• Rob White works to stop the allure of gangs as part of a citywide plan.
• This plan has helped drive a big drop in violent crime over the last two years.
• A drive-by attack that wounded seven people over the weekend is mentioned as an example of ongoing challenges.

We passed the site of a driveby attack that wounded seven at the weekend. When the president says he's going to send the troops here, what do you say? Troops are already here. We the troops. We the troops.

This section shifts the focus to the proactive community efforts that are credited with reducing crime, presenting a perspective that contrasts with the need for external military intervention.

Critique of Federal Intervention [1:04]

• Community members see themselves as the "troops" already working on the ground.
• They question the need to change strategies if the current "meal is good" (i.e., if crime is decreasing).
• The Democrat-run city points to cuts in crime prevention funding by the Trump administration.

What? What do you mean? That's a great way to put that, bro. Increase what what's already been done. Your outcome is already happening. Why change the cook in the kitchen if the meal is good?

This segment elaborates on the community's perspective, emphasizing their active role and questioning the efficacy and rationale behind the proposed federal troop deployment.

Political Divisions and Fear of Immigration Raids [1:27]

• Chicago is described as a "flash point, channeling America's divisions."
• In some neighborhoods, Mr. Trump's threat to militarize a third US city resonates positively with residents fearful of crime.
• These residents believe criminals need to be removed and express fear of going out without carrying a gun.

Because you got to get rid of the criminals. They said he's crazy. There's too much crime. It's It's common sense. I'm scared to go out. If you do, you got to carry a gun.

This part illustrates the differing views within Chicago, showing some residents who support the idea of increased security due to crime concerns.

Concerns in Latino Neighborhoods [1:39]

• There are worries that Mr. Trump's immigration raids might loom.
• In one Latino neighborhood, workers are demanding protections.
• People in these communities are feeling fear and are hesitant to go out due to the risk of getting caught.

And what are people feeling in these communities? What's the mood? Fear. A lot of them don't want to go out and come out anymore because of it. Because they fear of getting caught.

This section highlights a significant concern, particularly within the Latino community, where the troop deployment is feared as a precursor to immigration enforcement actions.

Conclusion on Military Solutions [1:50]

• Mr. Trump's troops will enter the charged politics of Chicago.
• For people on the south side, there is no military solution to problems that have gripped generations.

But for people on the south side, there is no military solution to the problems that have gripped generations.

The conclusion reinforces the idea that the deep-seated issues contributing to crime in Chicago require more than a military response, particularly for those directly involved in community solutions.