US President Donald Trump has indicated that Chicago could be the next city to face federal intervention in a crackdown on crime, following his administration&rsquo;s operations in Washington, D.C.
Speaking from the White House Oval Office on Friday, Trump said the federal measures have made the nation&rsquo;s capital &ldquo;one of the safest places anywhere on Earth,&rdquo; and hinted that similar actions would be extended to other major cities. &ldquo;Chicago will be our next one after this,&rdquo; he told reporters.
The announcement comes after Trump&rsquo;s August 11 declaration of a &ldquo;crime emergency&rdquo; in Washington, accompanied by the deployment of the National Guard to assist local law enforcement. More than 1,900 troops from states including West Virginia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Ohio, Louisiana, and Tennessee have been mobilized under the Joint Task Force - DC.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has also authorized National Guard members patrolling Washington streets to carry service weapons, a notable shift from previous Pentagon guidance that allowed arms only if circumstances warranted.
Trump renewed his commitment to crime crackdowns after visiting law enforcement officers and National Guard troops in Southeast Washington on Thursday. Meanwhile, he criticized Mayor Muriel Bowser on Truth Social, warning, &ldquo;Mayor Muriel Bowser must immediately stop giving false and highly inaccurate crime figures, or bad things will happen, including a complete and total Federal takeover of the City!&rdquo;
Bowser, however, disputed Trump&rsquo;s claims, pointing out that violent crime in Washington is at a 30-year low and has decreased from both 2019 and 2023 levels. The clash highlights ongoing tension between the federal administration and Democratic-led city governments over law enforcement strategies and public safety narratives.
Trump&rsquo;s remarks also referenced other Democratic-led cities such as Los Angeles, New York, Baltimore, and Oakland, signaling potential future federal initiatives beyond Chicago. Analysts suggest the move is part of a broader political and law-and-order strategy leading up to the 2025 election cycle.

Trump eyes Chicago after DC crime crackdown

President Trump signals federal crime action in Chicago following Washington operations

Trump eyes Chicago after DC crime crackdown

President Trump signals federal crime action in Chicago following Washington operations

August 23, 2025 | 22:01 IST