Trump has no basis to deploy troops to Chicago, Democratic leader Jeffries says

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Reuters

August 24, 2025 11:43 AM EDT Updated 4 hours ago


Aug 24 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump does not have the authority to deploy troops to Chicago, Democratic House of Representatives Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries said on Sunday as the Pentagon carried out initial planning for a possible deployment. Trump, a Republican, has said he would probably expand his crime crackdown to Chicago, intervening in another city governed by Democrats. And on Sunday he suggested the possibility of deploying troops to Democratic-run Baltimore in Maryland.

U.S. officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said there had been initial planning at the Pentagon about what a deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago would look like. One official said the plans were part of the military's efforts to anticipate any requests by Trump and noted senior Pentagon officials have not yet been briefed on them. It is not uncommon for the Pentagon to plan for potential deployments before formal orders are given.

Jeffries said any move to deploy troops to Chicago was an attempt by Trump to manufacture a crisis. Crime, including murders, has declined in Chicago in the last year. "There's no basis, no authority for Donald Trump to potentially try to drop federal troops into the city of Chicago," Jeffries told CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday.

Jeffries cited comments made by JB Pritzker, the Democratic governor of Illinois, which includes Chicago, who said there was no emergency warranting the deployment of the National Guard or other military.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-has-no-basis-deploy-troops-chicago-democratic-leader-jeffries-says-2025-08-24/

[Midnight Writer]

1. I'd love to see them show up and get blasted with water cannons.

We supposedly settled all this troops-in-the-streets shit with our War of Independence.

I reckon we need to settle it all again.

[RazorbackExpat]

27. The troops in the streets shit was settled by the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878

The War for Independence, or Revolutionary War, settled the question of quartering troops in private homes

[orangecrush]

2. Which means absolutely nothing

To Dump.

[synni]

3. Ooh, another sternly-worded statement!

I'm sure Cheetolini is shaking in his boots (not).

(FYI, I'm criticizing Jeffries, not the OP.)

Our politicians need to borrow a page from South Korea's playbook. They managed to restore democracy and sanity in just a few months.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. "borrow a page from South Korea's playbook. They managed to restore democracy and sanity in just a few months."

They don't have the same system as the U.S. They don't have a "bicameral" legislative branch (i.e., no "House of Representatives" nor "Senate" ), just one big "National Assembly".

They don't do "Impeachment hearings" in one chamber and then switch to another chamber to do a "trial" - it's all heard and voted on in the one Assembly and the final decider is their "Constitutional Court", which is their highest court.

So there really is no comparison other than they are one of the few, like the U.S., that doesn't use a Parliamentary system of government.

[mcar]

7. Stop, just stop

with the strongly worded letter nonsense. Trump and his minions are fascists. That's who we are fighting against.

Criticizing our Democratic leaders with that tired old trope gets us nowhere.

[Hornedfrog2000]

12. Nah, we elect these people

And they had a chance to do something in power, and they didnt do it. Now we are supposed to be quiet as they do nothing still. No thanks. You keep silent though, seems to be working well.

[Ilikepurple]

26. It's only nonsense because it's not even strongly worded.

I’m really not one for hyperbole or even imprecise use of language, but if he was trying to communicate how bad letting Trump take over police powers in blue cities, “manufacturing a crisis” or “ no basis to deploy” are words that fail to capture what road this is going down. Your comment is a Lott stronger worded than Jeffires’s. I don’t know why criticism of specific actions or statements of our democratic leaders are considered such personal affronts? Politicians are professionals. Jeffries can handle a little heckling, especially that which he’ll never hear. Messaging is one of the last weapons we got, and I’m not sure if I’m not sure his message here will move the needle of public opinion one bit. I do think that it’s part of his job to do so. I know you somehow believe if we sit back a root for whatever our leaders do, we’ll have the best chance of regaining control of our government, but there is a division of opinion about that and this is a discussion board. I think we’re on the same side, so how about a positive defense of the utility of Jeffries’s comments rather trying to shut down discussion?

[MadameButterfly]

11. Jeffries is saying what he has to say

Would you rather he just sit quiet and act like it's ok?
The fact that he doesn't have a majority in Congress or a fair process or the Supreme Court or the military to give it teeth is not his fault.
What he has is freedom of speech--so far--and the courage to use it despite threats of retribution from Trump.

[Hornedfrog2000]

13. Uh,

What about when we had the majority? I mean republicans have seemed to seize power by not having the majority of support. Jeffries should get off the internet and start working.

[MadameButterfly]

19. I'm not sure what you mean

When Dems were in the majority I had no complaints about Jeffries.
Republicans cheat (gerrymander, lie, send bomb threats during elections...) and manage to win a majority of seats despite a minority. of support.
That's not Jeffries' fault. He has to deal with the numbers in the House as they are.

[Torchlight]

16. Looking forward to how this well thought-out and practical position will take form

Good luck!

[awesomerwb1]

5. Such a weak "leader" this guy is

[BumRushDaShow]

6. He's not "weak"

He's not going to play his hand by showing his cards to the biased media.

[mcar]

8. Thank you!

I'm so tired of the Democrat bashing among what one assumes are Democrats here on DU.

It doesn't matter what our leaders do or say, we get the same tired old "criticisms."

[Cha]

23. Exactly.. the same Tired Insults.. just to be

be insulting.

Not helping... that's how we Lose Elections.

[mcar]

25. It is how we lose elections

and those responsible will never admit it.

[Hornedfrog2000]

14. He seems pretty weak and ineffective.

I mean just saying. This shit all happened under most of these "leaders" watch.

Seems like im talking to the wheels of justice grind slowly, and merrick garland is doing something crowd. As he did nothing for a year, but people here demanded the disgruntled dems stay quiet. Because why would they tell us they were investigating trump?

I think it is time for the weak dems to stay quiet

[BumRushDaShow]

15. "I mean just saying. This shit all happened under most of these "leaders" watch."

Here is something that MLK was quoted as saying that I have in my sig -



Unfortunately have have far too many here where that applies.

Democrats are in the minority in Congress. I repeat: Democrats are in the minority in Congress. That means, other than taking up literal arms, their options are limited.

The Senate, due to the Cloture (filibuster) rule (and their other Rules), has far more levaratge compared to the House, where right now, ALL of the U.S. Attorney nominations, where the Senate must do "advise and consent" (confirmations) HAVE NOW BEEN BLOCKED. That is why 45 has been ranting and raving and whining about "Blue Slips", but also unbeknownst to him (personally, but causing temper tantrums among the RW loon media), there are "HOLDS" that Durbin has put in place on them as Ranking Member (but obviously not "Chair" ) of the Senate Judiciary Committee - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin to stall Trump U.S. attorney picks, citing JD Vance’s delays under Biden

Other nominations are also (finally) being held up -

Nominations pileup has Senate Republicans threatening rules changes

By Jordain Carney and Calen Razor
07/29/2025, 12:40pm ET Updated: 07/29/2025, 5:31pm ET

(snip)

There are roughly 150 nominees currently awaiting action on the Senate floor. Democrats are forcing Republicans to eat up floor time to overcome procedural hurdle nominees on even mid-level picks, sparking GOP frustration over not being able to clear those nominees via unanimous consent or voice votes.

“Republicans would like to return to those golden years when there were groups of nominees considered, but we weren’t given that courtesy by them,” said Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), referring to the trickle of nominees confirmed under President Joe Biden.

(snip)

So unless you educate yourself on "Civics 101", you will keep thinking "nothing is happening" but there are things happening. But since "we" don't own any "media" (other than now a couple hundred Audacy radio stations thanks to Soros, that are apparently being "shifted" - and I even heard a commercial from them on my local news radio station this morning (owned by Audacy) that mentioned the GOP's "dirty words" - Diversity/Equity/Inclusion for positions that are available), then you have to dig for it and most don't want to bother.

Otherwise, suit up.

[Cha]

22. Mahalo for replying to the those who Insult

our Dem Leaders with Facts, BRDS. Shine the Light

I'm So Sick of the Insults to our Dem Leaders On Democratic Underground.

[Oopsie Daisy]

28. Thank you so much. Great post!

This needs to be repeated verbatim in the daily threads that blame Democrats for "doing nothing". --- If I see them before you do, would you mind if I cut and pasted this?

[BumRushDaShow]

29. Have at it!

And you might want to add that the infamous "sternly worded letters" are ACTUALLY "demands for answers to questions" that are listed in those "letters", with a due date for a response. About 90% of the time, those requests ARE responded to with the "answers", although sometimes needing clarification and thus they get another "letter" requesting clarifications (and the other 10% who don't respond are loons who think they are being cute ignoring a Congressional inquiry).

[mcar]

30. Thank you for injecting reality into a tired old Dem bashing

[Cha]

21. No Hakeem Jeffires Does NOT "seem weak

and ineffective".

That's your opinion.

[Cha]

20. What! Stop Insulting Rep Hakeem Jeffries.

[Bayard]

9. Dear Gov. Pritzker: This is how you should respond

[spinbaby]

10. They don't care

This is Putin’s end game.

[dugog55]

17. I wasn't aware the Hakeem Jeffries was still in office. N/T

[Cha]

24. Please Pay Attention.. It's helpful

Last edited Tue Aug 26, 2025, 05:31 PM - Edit history (1)

when Posting on a Democratic Supporting Board.

[Karasu]

18. I would both hope and assume Jeffries knows there was ALSO no basis for them to be deployed to LA, either.

They're fascists. They lie, exaggerate, manufacture crises, and declare emergencies based on absolutely nothing in order to do what they want.