(NewsNation) — Mayor Brandon Johnson said a surge of federal agents was expected in Chicago by Friday, as President Donald Trump continues to threaten a federal crackdown in the nation’s third-largest city.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed Sunday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations will soon ramp up in the city.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Johnson have taken steps to prevent a potential deployment, as Trump and his team continue to lash out at the city’s Democratic leadership.
‘Workers Over Billionaires’ rally in Chicago
Community organizers and advocacy groups gathered in Chicago on Labor Day to celebrate America’s workers as Trump’s advances on the city continued.
The “Workers Over Billionaires” demonstration was organized by a coalition including the Chicago Federation of Labor and the Chicago Teachers Union.
Stacy Davis Gates, president of the Chicago Teachers Union, told NewsNation that Trump’s actions were intended to intimidate and separate the community.
“In the labor movement, we depend on solidarity … we believe that’s the solidarity that unites us, that democratizes this space. That’s our work in this moment,” Gates said.
Chicago sees 31 shootings over Labor Day weekend
Chicago saw more than two dozen shootings in the last 72 hours, according to information from the Chicago Police Department. In total, 50 people were shot, eight died and at least three others were taken into custody for the violence.
Data from the Chicago Police Department shows crime was down overall this year by 13%. Shooting incidents have dropped nearly 40% compared to 2024’s numbers, NewsNation affiliate WGN reported.
Chicago mayor signs executive order ahead of potential federal takeover
Johnson signed an executive order on Saturday in response to the Trump administration’s plans.
The order reaffirms that Chicago police officers answer to the mayor, not the federal government, as the city’s so-called “sanctuary” policy bans police from working with federal agents on ICE operations, patrols or any other law enforcement activity.
“National guard troops, any kind of troops, on the streets of an American city don’t belong unless there’s an insurrection, unless there is an emergency — there is not,” Pritzker said.
While Noem confirmed ICE would soon expand operations in Chicago, she said sending the National Guard alongside them is ultimately up to Trump.
Chicago ‘doing a good job’ on crime
Former Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson joined NewsNation on Monday night and said city leaders are “doing a pretty good job” on violent crime, but should work with the National Guard if they arrive.
“It is showing signs of progress; most people in the city probably wouldn’t want the National Guard… if I were the mayor, I would call the president and see how this could work for both parties,” Johnson said.
“We could kind of have a collaborative effort, because what you don’t want is for them to come here and there are no lines of communication, because that could create chaos.”
NewsNation’s Mills Hayes, Patrick Djordjevic, and Anna Kutz contributed to this report.