Defiant Chicago mayor bars cops from aiding Trump’s immigration raids: 'He's reckless and out of control'

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has issued a directive preventing city police from cooperating with federal agents or US military personnel, as President Donald Trump prepares to launch immigration enforcement operations across the country.

The executive order, signed Saturday, August 30, bars Chicago police from joining patrols, arrests, or joint actions with immigration authorities, the National Guard, or any military units that may be deployed to the city.

Johnson, a Democrat and outspoken critic of Trump, described the move as protecting Chicago residents from federal overreach.

Brandon Johnson warns of imminent federal militarized activity in Chicago

“We do not have the luxury of time,” Brandon Johnson said at a press conference alongside city officials. “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.”

The directive outlines clear instructions for city employees and residents if federal operations begin in Chicago. Local officers must remain in full uniform, activate body cameras, properly identify themselves, and avoid wearing face masks to distinguish themselves from federal agents.

The order also appeals to federal officers, urging them to adopt the same transparency standards as local police. Johnson warned that Chicago would challenge federal actions in court if necessary and urged Trump to “stand down” from deploying troops or escalating immigration raids.

Johnson accused the president of abusing his power for political gain, saying, “He is reckless and out of control. He's the biggest threat to our democracy that we’ve experienced in the history of our country.”

Trump administration pushes back against Brandon Johnson's directive

Earlier this month, Donald Trump deployed Homeland Security personnel and National Guard troops to Washington, DC, to crack down on crime, later suggesting Chicago could be “next.” His border enforcement advisor, Tom Homan, also hinted that ICE may expand operations to sanctuary cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Portland, and Seattle.

The White House quickly criticized Johnson’s order. Spokeswoman Abigail Jackson dismissed it as political theater, saying, “If these Democrats focused on fixing crime in their own cities instead of publicity stunts to attack the President, their communities would be much safer. Cracking down on crime should not be a partisan issue.”

Trump escalates feud with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker over crime in Chicago

Donald Trump has also ramped up attacks on Illinois Governor JB Pritzker following a violent weekend in Chicago, accusing him of failing to control crime and rejecting federal aid.

In a Truth Social post, Trump blasted Pritzker as “weak and pathetic,” pointing to six people killed and 24 wounded in shootings. “He better straighten it out, FAST, or we’re coming!” the president wrote.

Trump also mocked Pritzker’s appearance earlier in the week, saying he “ought to spend more time in the gym.”

Pritzker fired back, calling Trump’s approach “unconstitutional” and “a dangerous power grab.” Brushing off the personal jabs, he quipped, “It takes one to know one on the weight question.”

Brandon Johnson sparks uproar after barring police cooperation with federal troops

The directive sparked backlash online. One user mocked Johnson, Pritzker, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul with a comic strip titled “Leave our Crime Alone,” showing them pointing at a defiant Trump.

Another shared a Kermit the Frog meme with the caption, “I present to you blind ignorance.”

One X user reasoned, “When someone has single-digit support, doing the opposite of everything they say is statistically the right move. Johnson’s opposition is the strongest endorsement for sending them in.”

A possible Chicago resident tweeted, “Looks like we need a new movie Escape from Chicago. Or has it already been done already and I don't know it.”

Supporters of Trump praised the possibility of federal intervention. One tweet read, “If I was Trump, I would have them there by sunrise.”

One social media user slamming the Chicago mayor wrote, “This guy seems like he's willing to do anything and everything to make sure people in his city are unsafe and unhappy.”

One X user, commenting on the mayor's authority, wrote, “He's the head of a MUNICIPALITY and nothing more. Are you waking up yet? He only has power over that which the MUNiCIPALITY runs. This has absolutely no meaning in any reality.”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.