Trump Threatens Chicago with Department of War, Sparks Protests

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, saying he might send the “Department of War” to Chicago. He wrote, “Chicago is about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR.” 

The message included an AI-made image referencing the film Apocalypse Now and a twist on a famous quote: “I love the smell of deportations in the morning.” Many saw this as a threat to send troops and federal agents to Democratic-led cities.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker pushed back on X. He said, “The President is threatening war on an American city. This is not normal. Illinois won’t bow to a wannabe dictator.” On Saturday, thousands of protesters marched in Chicago, carrying signs against Trump’s plan, such as “No Trump, no troops.”

The President of the United States is threatening to go to war with an American city.

This is not a joke. This is not normal.

Donald Trump isn't a strongman, he's a scared man. Illinois won’t be intimidated by a wannabe dictator. pic.twitter.com/f87Zek7Cqb

— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) September 6, 2025

Trump’s statement follows his earlier deployments. In June, he sent National Guard troops to Los Angeles, and in August to Washington, D.C., declaring a “crime emergency.” Legal challenges followed, and in California, a judge found the Los Angeles action illegal. Critics said his tactics, including using masked ICE agents and unmarked cars, were authoritarian.

Read: Trump to Rename Department of Defense to Department of War

Protests in Washington, D.C., also drew crowds waving inverted U.S. flags to show their distress. Trump has threatened similar moves in Baltimore and New Orleans.

On September 5, Trump signed an order renaming the Department of Defence to the “Department of War.” Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the new name signals “victory.”

Trump’s threats and troop actions raise concerns about federal power and civil liberties. Chicago’s response shows growing resistance to his policies.