Trump claims unlimited authority to send troops to Chicago for crime breakdown: "I have the right to do anything ..."

President Trump has argued his authority to deploy the national guard without limits, and Chicago called a ‘Helgat’ and suggested that federal intervention is needed to combat crime. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker pushed back and said the state had not requested any request. US President Donald Trump at a Cabinet meeting in the White House in Washington, DC, USA, on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. Photographer: Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg (Bloomberg), US President Donald Trump, argued at the Cabinet meeting of Tuesday that his authority was in the head. “Not that I don’t – I would – have the right to do everything I want to do. I am the president of the United States. If I think our country is in danger, and it is in danger in these cities, I can. No problem going in and solving his problems, ‘Trump said. Chicago in focus called Trump Chicago a ‘Helgat’ and claims residents ask him to intervene to reduce crime. “They need help. We can wait. We may or not, we may just go in and do it, which is probably what we need to do, ‘he told reporters. This reflects his previous remarks earlier this month, when he calls Chicago “a mess” and suggested that the city may be next for a federal oppression. Trump has long criticized Chicago on the campaign, comparing it to war zones and federal actions in response to gun violence. Federal military readiness Trump said the US military is ready to deploy anywhere on short notice. “We can go anywhere at less than 24 hours,” he said as he signed executive orders on criminal suspects released on cashless bail. He also ordered the Department of Defense to ensure that each state national guard troops have ready for quick mobilization to help with civil disorders and public safety, creating a quick reaction force. JB Pritzker, governor of the state’s Pushback Illinois, emphasized that his state had not requested federal intervention. “It’s about Donald Trump looking for any justification to deploy the military in a blue city, in a blue state to try to intimidate its political opponents,” Pritzker said. Illinois attorney -general also said that legal action will be taken to block any federal deployment in Chicago. Crime in Chicago Chicago has long faced high levels of gun violence, although crime, including manslaughter, has fallen over the past year. Mayor Brandon Johnson noted that federal financing has helped the city over the past year to lower its manslaughter rate by more than 30% year to year.