Chicago mayor calls for Trump to ‘stand down’ on National Guard threat

CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson issued an executive order Saturday calling for President Donald Trump to “stand down” on his threat to deploy the National Guard to Chicago. The order also affirms that the Chicago Police Department doesn’t take orders from anyone other than the mayor.

Chicago police will not “collaborate with federal agents on joint law enforcement patrols, arrest operations, or other law enforcement duties including civil immigration enforcement,” according to the order.

Johnson’s directive also urges the federal law enforcement officers on the ground in Chicago “to refrain from wearing masks” and to identify themselves by agency and badge number.

Chicago Police, including undercover officers, will be required to wear their full uniforms.

“It gives a clear directive” about who’s in charge, Johnson told reporters after signing the order. “This is about making a clear distinction about what our law enforcement engages in vs. what the federal government engages in. This president is not going to come in and deputize our police department.”

The mayor’s executive order follows a memo from the Department of Homeland Security requesting use of the Naval Station Great Lakes north of Chicago as a home base for immigration operations in Chicago. Local officials said nearby suburbs could be affected, too.

Separately, Trump has vowed to send the National Guard to Chicago to address crime, similar to actions his administration took in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.

In response, the White House slammed Johnson and Democrats more broadly for “doing publicity stunts” to criticize Trump, and praised the DC mayor for her tempered response to the administration’s takeover. “They should listen to fellow Democrat Mayor Muriel Bowser who recently celebrated the Trump Administration’s success in driving down violent crime in Washington DC,” said Abigail Jackson, a White House spokeswoman.

Johnson, who has spoken to LA Mayor Karen Bass, said his office expects an “expansive slew” of federal agents are being sent to Chicago “as early as Friday.”

Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker have both criticized the Trump administration for not communicating its plans. Without any information, the city is preparing by using the playbook it followed during the Democratic National Convention, which drew large protests that were considered peaceful.