Former President Donald Trump—allegedly while calling to insurrectors on January 6—reportedly considered invoking the Insurrection Act, and even raised the possibility from the Oval Office. He promised, “I would go and implement it that way.” His administration is already laying the groundwork to deploy federal national guard forces to Democrat-controlled cities, and they’re just getting started. This step is a response to the burgeoning crime crisis and escalating violence and unrest.
Trump’s administration has largely been rebuffed legally in moving to deploy federal national guard troops. A federal judge recently imposed an injunction against the use of these forces in Chicago. The ruling slammed the administration for failing to bring forth any credible evidence of an impending insurrection in the state of Illinois. The judge’s ruling highlights the challenges faced by Trump’s strategy to address what he describes as lawlessness in urban areas.
Vice President Vance assuring us that Trump has not yet found it necessary to invoke the Insurrection Act. He conceded, all of them are still on the table to be heard. Vance criticized the situation in Chicago, describing it as “lawlessness and gangs” and claiming its murder rate “rivals the worst places in the third world.” The available data, compiled by the Chicago Tribune, indicate Chicago is not one of the top four large U.S. cities by murder rate. Interestingly, all of those cities are in state Republican-controlled states.
The Insurrection Act authorizes the deployment of military forces to address civil disorder. It has previously last invoked in 1992, when President George H.W. Bush dispatched troops to California to quell civil unrest. Trump’s administration has previously deployed national guard troops to Illinois from Texas and California. A court order, at least for now, blocks these troops from being deployed to the streets.
The legal and political landscape surrounding each of Trump’s proposals is equally complicated. His administration would run into obvious but huge legal challenges from federal courts, should he deploy National Guard forces to Democratic-run cities. Therefore, resentment is growing deeply and quickly.
“He should suffer consequences. Whether he has violated a crime I would leave to the courts, but he has certainly violated his oath of office and that seems pretty criminal to me.” – Vance
In an interview last week, Trump’s divisive comments and policies have led to destruction,” said Gov. J.B. Pritzker. “I am not afraid,” Pritzker said. I think he would be able to do it – but come and get me. You couldn’t be more mistaken, Mr. President and Mr. Vice-President. I will not stand idly by as those above me ignore — and trample upon — the law and the constitution.
Despite the focus on crime rates, there is evidence suggesting that violence has been decreasing in major American cities, including Chicago, over the past two years. This drop runs counter to the story that cities are apparently going to hell in a handbasket.
Vance emphasized the fear among residents in certain neighborhoods of Chicago, stating, “there are places in [Chicago] where people are afraid to take their children … for fear of gun violence, for fear of gang drive-by shootings.”
The political implications of Trump’s actions continue to unfold today as his administration, in its attempt to push through unwarranted support for Trump from Republican lawmakers. Mike Johnson stated that Democrats are resisting federal intervention “so that they can prove to their Marxist base that they are willing to fight Trump.”
Rising up against crime and misrule in our cities We know from experience that local and federal leaders should tread carefully here, seeking a proper balance between ensuring order and protecting civil rights.
“Seen no credible evidence that there is a danger of a rebellion in the state of Illinois.” – Judge