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'We are the troops': Inside Chicago's split communities as Trump vows to deploy National Guard

September 6, 2025

Chicago is at the center of debate over President Trump's recent threat to deploy National Guard troops to combat crime, despite violent crime rates actually declining in the city over the past two years. Local crime prevention workers argue they are "the troops" already making progress, with Chicago Police Department reporting homicides down by 125 last year and shooting victims reduced by over 700. Opinions on potential military deployment are divided along community lines, with some South Side residents opposing federal intervention while others in areas like Canaryville welcoming it.

Who is affected

  • South Side Chicago residents and communities
  • Young men vulnerable to gang involvement
  • Victims of gun violence (including the 58 people shot over Labor Day weekend)
  • Chicago CRED participants (young men in the non-profit program)
  • Chicago Police Department officers and leadership
  • Residents in neighborhoods like Bronzeville and Canaryville

What action is being taken

  • Chicago CRED is operating a non-profit program aimed at reducing gun violence
  • Coaches like Rob White and Kanoya Ali are working with young men to reverse their slide into gangs
  • The Chicago Police Department is implementing strategies that have resulted in declining homicide rates
  • President Trump is threatening to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago
  • State and city authorities are vowing to resist federal troop deployment

Why it matters

  • Chicago's violent crime levels remain substantially higher than the average for many US cities, despite recent improvements
  • The debate reflects fundamental disagreements about effective approaches to public safety
  • The potential deployment of National Guard troops represents a significant federal intervention in local governance
  • Funding cuts to crime prevention programs may impact the city's ability to continue reducing violent crime
  • The situation highlights political divisions, with Democrat-run city officials opposing Republican federal initiatives

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC