Chicago next in federal crime crackdown

Editorial analysis of Donald Trump’s call to extend a federal crime crackdown to Chicago and the legal and political risks it could incur.

Trump says Chicago next up for federal crime crackdown

From the Oval Office, President Donald Trump said Chicago will be the next city targeted by a federal crackdown on crime and signaled a longer, tougher campaign in Washington, DC. He framed the DC approach as a success story and suggested he could keep National Guard troops there by declaring a national emergency.
The article notes that the plan's mechanics are unclear for Chicago. It explains the legal framework around DC’s police takeover, including a provision that the federal government can seize control for up to 30 days during emergencies and potentially extend with Congress. A Justice Department hearing last week argued that Trump’s authority to control DC police would expire without an extension, highlighting the legal tightrope involved. The piece also cites crime trends in DC and a DOJ inquiry into the DC Metropolitan Police Department’s data handling as context for the broader debate.

This move tests the boundary between federal power and local governance. If Chicago is added, residents could face a policing model that bypasses local oversight and raises civil liberties questions.
Politically, the plan could deepen urban divides and complicate relations between the White House and city leaders. It also fuels a budget debate, with talk of a future funding package tied to policing and urban improvements, creating questions about feasibility and long-term costs.

Highlights

Future weeks will reveal how far politics can shape policing in America.