CHICAGO — House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused President Donald Trump of “manufacturing a crisis” by deploying federalized National Guard troops to Chicago, a move that has raised constitutional concerns and drawn sharp criticism from Mayor Brandon Johnson. The deployment, reported by CNN on Sunday, August 24, 2025, is part of Trump’s broader law-and-order agenda, but Jeffries called it a political stunt to bolster his image ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Jeffries, speaking at a Capitol Hill press briefing, argued that Trump’s decision to send thousands of troops to Chicago violates norms of federal-state relations. “This is a manufactured crisis to score political points,” he declared, pointing to the lack of a clear emergency justifying the move. Mayor Johnson echoed the sentiment, stating, “Chicago doesn’t need federal troops; we need federal resources for schools and jobs.” The deployment follows a similar operation in Los Angeles, where 4,000 troops faced local pushback.
Trump also faces scrutiny over allegations of using mortgage fraud accusations as political tools. Federal probes into Democratic officials, including New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, have been labeled as retaliatory by critics. Additionally, slush fund allegations tied to Smartmatic executives have intensified scrutiny of Trump’s Justice Department, with claims it’s targeting political foes. “The pattern is clear: weaponize crises to silence opposition,” Jeffries told reporters.
Key controversies include:
- Deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Chicago, sparking protests.
- DOJ investigations into Democratic figures, seen as politically motivated.
- Smartmatic-related allegations fueling distrust in Trump’s legal tactics.
Legal experts warn that federalizing the Guard for domestic policing may violate the Posse Comitatus Act, limiting military roles in civilian law enforcement. As Chicago braces for heightened tensions, Democrats vow to challenge Trump’s actions in court, signaling a deepening divide over his use of federal power.
Source: CNN
