Chicago Mayor Limits Federal Troops with Executive Order

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has taken a firm stance against potential federal intervention, signing an executive order aimed at limiting the presence and actions of federal troops within the city. The order, titled the “Protecting Chicago Initiative,” seeks to ensure federal agents adhere to municipal policing roles and that citizens are informed of their rights should federal deployments occur.

A United Front Against Federal Intervention

This move comes as Mayor Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker have presented a united front in resisting federal overtures regarding crime in Chicago. Johnson expressed urgency, stating, “We have received credible reports that we have days, not weeks, before our city sees some kind of militarized activity by the federal government.” He emphasized that the city does not want to see “tanks in our streets” or families “ripped apart.”

The executive order directs the city’s Department of Law to explore all legal avenues to resist federal actions that may overstep local authority. Naval Station Great Lakes, located near Chicago, is expected to serve as a staging or command center for federal agents, with troops anticipated to arrive by September 5th.

Accountability Measures and Legal Questions

The order includes specific measures to hold federal agents accountable. If federal agents deviate from guidelines similar to those followed by Chicago’s police force, Johnson plans to take legal action. This could include requiring federal agents to wear identifiable items like masks, body cameras, badges, and uniforms during engagements with citizens, and potentially withdrawing support from the Chicago Police Department for federal or military units.

However, legal scholars like Julian Davis Mortenson from the University of Michigan raise questions about the extent to which a local government can impose its laws on federal operations. While acknowledging the order’s thoughtful nature, Mortenson notes the legal complexities of a state or city seeking to enforce municipal law on federal law enforcement activities, particularly if the federal authority is deemed valid.

Despite these legal considerations, Mayor Johnson positions himself as a defender against what he describes as an “increasingly authoritarian and fascist federal government.” He asserted, “This executive order makes it emphatically clear this president is not going to come in and deputize our police department. We do not want to see tanks in our streets… And I don’t take orders from the federal government.”

Broader Calls for Action

Esiah Campos, a Lake County commissioner, echoed the sentiment, calling for state lawmakers and local mayors to ban the practice of housing ICE and Homeland Security agents who might “terrorize our people.” Campos stressed the need for action over mere statements, highlighting the personal impact of such policies on communities.