Ray Lopez, a Democratic alderman representing Chicago’s 15th Ward, voiced support for President Donald Trump’s decision to increase the number of federal personnel deployed to the city, saying many of his constituents agree with the move.
In an interview with Fox News, Lopez was asked whether residents in his ward shared the views of Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who have accused the Trump administration of “declaring war” on Chicago with its expanded federal presence.
“Absolutely not. There are many people in the city of Chicago who completely support having the additional resources to keep both ICE agents and community protesters safe,” Lopez said.
He then ripped Pritzker and Chicago leaders for having an adversarial relationship with an administration simply attempting to make the city safer.
“What we have seen is a complete abdication of responsibility, both by Governor Pritzker and by the mayor of the city of Chicago, who have refused up until this point to allow police just to maintain the peace for protesters and for ICE agents doing their job,” Lopez continued.
“We need to bring some sanity back to the conversation, and a majority of Chicagoans want to see that happen,” he added.
Last week, Trump ordered the deployment of 300 Texas National Guard personnel to reinforce federal agents operating in the area, following weeks of escalating unrest. The situation intensified when agents were surrounded and rammed by a group of far-left militants, at least one of whom was reportedly armed.
A federal judge temporarily blocked the deployment, which the Pentagon said was intended to support the “Federal Protection Mission to protect federal functions, personnel, and property.”
Despite the order, the administration has dispatched hundreds of additional officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and other federal agencies to assist with deportation operations and ensure the safety of federal personnel.
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The deployment follows a series of arrests outside a federal facility in Broadview, Illinois, which has been the target of repeated attacks by far-left groups.
The Broadview facility has faced near-daily unrest, with rioters clashing with federal agents, throwing rocks, slashing tires, and blocking vehicles. Several Democratic candidates for an open congressional seat in Chicago — including Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss and progressive activist Kat Abughazaleh — have posted videos of themselves obstructing federal vehicles and agents, acts that authorities have described as felonies.
Federal officers have used pepper spray, tear gas, and rubber bullets to disperse crowds but have often been outnumbered. The violence intensified on Saturday when about 10 vehicles intentionally rammed and trapped federal agents near the Broadview site. At least one assailant was armed, prompting agents to fire in self-defense.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced last week that additional special operations personnel would be deployed to Illinois following the ramming attack — one of two similar incidents reported that same day.
Illinois Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who is widely believed to be positioning himself for a 2028 presidential run, lashed out at Trump and Vice President JD Vance during a Sunday appearance on ABC’s “This Week.”
Pritzker was asked by host George Stephanopoulos, following an appearance by Vance on the same program, about remarks Trump made last week on social media, where he wrote that the governor and Chicago Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson “should be in jail for failing to protect ICE officers.”
In comments made to reporters on Wednesday, Pritzker essentially dared Trump to try and arrest him, saying, “Come and get me.” The governor expounded on those remarks with Stephanopoulos.
“You know, there is a reason why the judge here in federal court said that the administration lacks credibility and why even the Nobel Prize committee chair said that the administration lacks integrity. This administration, led by a 34-time convicted felon, is threatening to jail people who are their political opponents,” he said, without addressing the fact that the Biden administration and Democratic prosecutors tried to jail Trump.