Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) signed an executive order on Saturday that ordered city police not to cooperate with federal agents or military troops amid a supposedly imminent crackdown on crime there similar to the one going on in Washington, D.C.
“We do not have the luxury of time,” Johnson said during a press conference that included other city leaders.
“We have received credible reports that we have days, not weeks, before our city sees some type of militarized activity by the federal government. It is unclear at this time what that will look like exactly.”
The order was meant to show city employees and residents “how we can stand up against this tyranny," he continued.
Police were ordered to be in uniform, identify themselves, follow body cam procedures, and not to wear face masks, which would set them apart from federal agents.
They were also ordered to enforce all local laws, even if federal agents said something different.
The order "urges" federal agents to also not wear masks and to follow local laws, and aims to prohibit the deployment of any military to the area.
“We will use the courts if that’s necessary,” Johnson warned.
Trump had threatened on social media that Chicago was "next" for a federal crackdown including immigration raids and federalization of police if the local officials couldn't get crime under control.
His actions in D.C. have been successful as far as dropping the crime rate, but it's too soon to tell whether those improvements will last after the feds leave.
The White House responded to Johnson's press conference, calling it a "publicity stunt" and urging city officials to handle the crime problem themselves, if they were able.
“If these Democrats focused on fixing crime in their own cities instead of doing publicity stunts to criticize the President, their communities would be much safer,” White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement.
Border czar Tom Homan has said that other sanctuary cities including New York, Los Angeles, Portland, and Seattle could have ICE agents deployed there if crime rates continue.
“Cracking down on crime should not be a partisan issue," Jackson said.
