Residents worry Detroit could be next for Trump troops

September 3, 2025

Detroit residents are urging city officials to take a stronger stance against the potential deployment of federal troops in their city amid President Trump's considerations to mobilize the National Guard in "Democrat-run" cities. While Trump hasn't specifically mentioned Detroit, his previous actions of sending troops to Los Angeles and Washington D.C., along with his stated plans for Chicago, have raised concerns among Detroit activists. During a city council meeting, residents called for preparations to resist what they described as potential "illegal occupation," drawing parallels to the deadly National Guard deployment in Detroit in July 1967.

Who is affected

Detroit residents
Black-majority communities
Local police departments
City government officials
Chicago residents (currently more directly targeted)

What action is being taken

Detroit activists are publicly calling on the City Council to take a position against potential federal troop deployment
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order affirming local police remain under city control
Residents are attending council meetings to express concerns and request preparation plans
Detroit community members are drawing attention to potential racial targeting in federal intervention plans

Why it matters

The deployment of federal troops raises concerns about local governance and autonomy
Historical precedent from July 1967 resulted in deaths when National Guard troops were deployed in Detroit
There are questions about the legality and constitutional basis for federal troop deployment in cities
Residents see the potential deployment as targeting predominantly Black cities
The situation presents concerns about what some activists describe as "fascism"

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com