As speculation mounts over whether federal agents and National Guard troops will be deployed in Chicago to back up ICE, Washington, D.C. is already seeing results from a similar operation.
On Chicago’s Morning Answer, Dan Proft spoke with John Malcolm, vice president of the Institute for Constitutional Government at the Heritage Foundation, about the legal and practical effects of recent deployments. Malcolm, who lives and works in Washington, said crime has dropped dramatically in the capital since the National Guard was stationed to support federal law enforcement. “Even the mayor, who initially objected, now admits crime is down and is looking for ways to extend the deployment,” he noted. Arrests have increased, illegal firearms have been seized, and high-crime neighborhoods are experiencing relief.
The discussion comes as Illinois officials warn of expanded ICE operations out of Broadview and the possibility of National Guard support. Governor J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson argue that such measures are designed to intimidate immigrant communities rather than improve safety. Pritzker has suggested that federal authorities are seeking excuses to declare emergencies in Chicago.
Malcolm rejected that framing, pointing to evidence from Los Angeles, where ICE agents came under violent attack during enforcement actions, as an example of why Guard support is sometimes necessary. He stressed that the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits military involvement in civilian policing, allows exceptions when federal law must be enforced and local authorities are unwilling or unable to assist. “If ICE agents are assaulted and local police stand aside, the president has the authority to call in the Guard to protect federal personnel,” he explained.
In D.C., Guard members have been used to monitor lower-crime areas, freeing up local police to concentrate on violent hotspots. Malcolm suggested that a similar model could help Chicago by increasing the presence of law enforcement in neighborhoods most affected by shootings and carjackings.
The debate underscores the sharp contrast between city and state leaders in Illinois, who maintain Chicago is safe enough without federal intervention, and federal officials who argue that local non-cooperation creates security risks. With crime victims and community safety at the center of the discussion, Chicago could soon face the same test Washington is now experiencing.