Mayor Brandon Johnson is calling on the people of Chicago to “rise up” against President Trump’s deportation push, warning that the military-style immigration enforcement seen in Los Angeles could soon hit his city. As protests swell and the White House targets Democrat-led cities, tensions are rising over what comes next.
Key Facts:
- Mayor Brandon Johnson urged Chicagoans to resist Trump’s immigration crackdown, labeling it a “war on our democracy.”
- Saturday protests are expected to surpass Tuesday’s anti-ICE demonstrations in size and intensity.
- Johnson discussed possible federal troop deployment with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.
- Trump’s administration notified agents to prepare for raids in five Democratic-led cities, including Chicago.
- Johnson criticized Trump’s plans for a military parade on his birthday as “grotesque” and a distraction.
The Rest of The Story:
Mayor Brandon Johnson issued one of his most forceful rebukes of President Trump on Wednesday, warning of coming federal immigration raids and urging city residents to “resist in this moment.”
Trump’s use of military resources in Los Angeles to carry out immigration enforcement, Johnson said, could be a preview of what’s coming to Chicago.
Johnson has spoken with state and local leaders about the possible activation of the Illinois National Guard, but he hasn’t detailed how the city would respond if federal forces arrive during this weekend’s “No Kings Day of Defiance” protests.
“This is a necessary fight,” Johnson said.
“It’s a war on our culture…our democracy…our humanity.”
His top aides confirmed reports that federal agents were told to be ready to deploy within 48 hours.
Deputy Mayor Garien Gatewood and others have been coordinating with the governor’s office to prepare for potential escalation following Tuesday’s protest, which included a car striking a demonstrator.
Commentary:
Mayor Johnson’s message is clear: resist federal law enforcement and brace for confrontation.
This is not just policy disagreement—it’s a full-scale invitation to unrest.
By invoking war metaphors and likening Trump to historical villains, Johnson is fueling the same kind of inflammatory rhetoric that lit up American cities in the summer of 2020.
His refusal to say what he’ll do if protests become violent sends a dangerous signal: that some level of disorder may be tolerable or even useful.
While he says violence won’t be tolerated, history tells us that these words often give way to excuses when windows shatter and fires rage.
Johnson knows exactly what he’s doing.
His goal isn’t to maintain peace—it’s to provoke a federal response.
If ICE raids or National Guard troops do arrive, he gets to play the victim of “authoritarianism,” turning law enforcement into a campaign ad for defiance.
The people of Chicago voted for this leadership.
This is the same mayor who backed weakening the police and reimagining public safety while crime surged.
Now, his administration may be willing to let chaos unfold in the streets, all to score political points against a president he loathes.
This isn’t about protecting immigrants.
It’s about preserving a radical political narrative where Trump is the villain, and Chicago gets to be the resistance.
The city’s residents, business owners, and law-abiding citizens are just collateral damage in that crusade.
But Johnson may be miscalculating the mood.
In 2020, many Americans stayed silent.
Today, there’s a growing sense that lawlessness will no longer be tolerated.
Trump isn’t stepping into hostile territory; he’s stepping into cities where fed-up citizens want order restored.
If Chicago erupts again, and Trump takes action to protect people and property, Johnson might find himself in a weaker position than he expects.
This time, it won’t be just federal agents standing firm—it’ll be the public too.
The Bottom Line:
Mayor Johnson is stoking confrontation as federal immigration enforcement intensifies.
His call for mass resistance, while thinly veiled in talk of “peaceful protest,” echoes the lawlessness of past unrest.
While city officials warn of raids, their real target seems to be the political optics of opposing Trump.
Whether this strategy backfires may depend on how far the chaos goes—and how firmly Americans respond.
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