Trump's Plan to Crack Down on Crime in NYC and Chicago

President Trump announced plans for a federal crime crackdown in New York City and Chicago, potentially involving active-duty troops. He cited his handling of Washington D.C.'s crime as a successful model, attributing a decrease in crime (despite existing data showing a decline before the federal intervention) to his actions.

<img src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/08/22/multimedia/22dc-trump-vbtm/22dc-trump-vbtm-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;disable=upscale" alt="National Guard troops in Washington">

While he has the authority to exert significant control in D.C. as a federal district, replicating this level of intervention in NYC and Chicago faces legal hurdles. He would likely leverage federal law enforcement agencies like the FBI and DEA, or potentially invoke the Insurrection Act for military deployment – a controversial move previously considered but denied as unnecessary.

Chicago's mayor, Brandon Johnson, condemned a potential military deployment as "unlawful" and "unsustainable," highlighting the city's recent significant drop in crime. The article also points out inconsistencies in Trump's claims about crime reductions in D.C.

This raises serious concerns about potential overreach of federal power and the implications for local autonomy in handling crime. The President's comments suggest a strong intention to proceed despite potential legal and logistical challenges, leading to uncertainty and apprehension in the targeted cities.