
Trump Again Vows to Send National Guard to Chicago; Pritzker Fires Back
Clip: 9/16/2025 | 3m 33sVideo has Closed Captions
Gov. JB Pritzker said he thinks Trump is “losing it” after another threat of a military deployment.
Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday he can’t take “anything that (Trump) says seriously” and said he thinks Trump is “losing it” following another threat of a military deployment into Chicago.
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Trump Again Vows to Send National Guard to Chicago; Pritzker Fires Back
Clip: 9/16/2025 | 3m 33sVideo has Closed Captions
Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday he can’t take “anything that (Trump) says seriously” and said he thinks Trump is “losing it” following another threat of a military deployment into Chicago.
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In this Emmy Award-winning series, WTTW News tackles your questions — big and small — about life in the Chicago area. Our video animations guide you through local government, city history, public utilities and everything in between.Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>> As we just heard, federal officials are ramping up immigration enforcement raids across Chicago today.
It comes as President.
Donald Trump once again is vowing to send the National Guard to Chicago, prompting Governor JB Pritzker to fire back at the president.
>> I think you might be suffering from some dementia, you know, and the next wake up on the other side of the bed and stop talking about Chicago.
So I've never really counted on anything that he said.
Israel.
>> Our Heather Sharon joins us now with more.
Heather, 2 high profile members of the Trump administration landed in Chicago today.
They're signaling a new phase of their efforts to deport undocumented immigrants.
What it looked like across the city today will Christy Nome, homeland security secretary started her day very early in Elgin where she helped raid a home where 4 men were detained.
One of those men told reporters he was released after proving to agents that he is an American citizen.
He's now left to pick up the pieces of his shattered House.
Gregory, both, you know, with the U.S.
Customs and Border Patrol also said he arrived in Chicago today with social media video promising to deport who he called criminal illegal aliens.
It is not clear what specifically he has been tasked with doing in Chicago.
>> Since this new operation known as Midway, let's begin last week.
We're not sure how many people have been detained with some federal officials saying that 250 people been detained, but only 30 people or so has been formally identified.
But you mentioned there was a citizen caught up in this week, but, you know, overall, what do we know about the people?
Federal agents are detaining not a whole lot.
We heard from a spokesperson for homeland for the Homeland Security Department to say that they targeted people who had been charged or convicted with DUI, felony stalking and other violent crimes.
But we know from U.S.
ICE officials that most of the people who have been detained do not have criminal records or if they do, they are essentially nonviolent offenses like traffic infractions.
>> And obviously there's been a lot of back and forth on this.
But, you know, logistically, what does change if President Trump to place the National Guard?
We simply don't know.
We don't know what authority he will assert.
We don't know what those troops will be tasked with doing.
We do know, however, that Governor JB Pritzker will immediately ask a federal judge to block that deployment.
That means everything is very You know, we've been discussing Governor Pritzker's reaction.
Mayor Brandon Johnson also pushed back today against the Trump administration.
He signed an executive order that he said was designed to protect Chicagoans constitutional rights.
>> What would that order do?
Well, the order that he signed today instructs the Chicago Police Department to intervene if federal officials prevent Chicagoans from exercising their First Amendment rights to speech and assembly by finding an alternate location for that protests to take place.
>> We press the mayor on this at a press conference today.
It's not exactly clear how that would work, especially as these protests turned chaotic and perhaps some unrest occurs.
However, it's clear that the mayor wants the people of Chicago and Chicago to know he's doing everything he can to protect their constitutional rights.
All right, Heather, sure around.
Thanks very much.
Thanks, Nick.
>> And you can read more of our coverage about the National Guard threats and
Chicago is Sinking. Here's What Researchers Have to Say
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Clip: 9/16/2025 | 5m 56s | What was once thought to be a mainly coastal phenomenon is now showing up in most major cities. (5m 56s)
The Fed Kicks Off Meetings on Whether to Cut Interest Rate
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Clip: 9/16/2025 | 8m 53s | The decision could have major ripple effects on the economy. (8m 53s)
WTTW News Explains: Why is Chicago Sinking?
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Clip: 9/16/2025 | 2m 40s | While it may be happening slowly, the consequences could be huge. WTTW News explains. (2m 40s)
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