Rep. Kelly condemns President Trump’s plan to deploy National Guard to Chicago

CHICAGO - U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) released the following statement condemning President Donald Trump's plans to deploy the National Guard to Chicago. During a briefing in the Oval Office today, President Trump said the National Guard is going to Chicago, but did not specify a timeline.

"President Trump is wasting over $1 million every day for the National Guard to pick up trash on the National Mall in DC. Now, he plans to further misuse taxpayer dollars to send the National Guard to Chicago. We could use that money to fund community violence intervention initiatives, hire and train local police officers, and invest in mental health professionals - all real solutions to crime and gun violence.

"I have successfully fought for and passed CVI funding, but President Trump froze $66 million for the Community-Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative. He closed the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention on Day One of his second term. He, and his Congressional Republicans, have made it easier for people to buy, build, and rig guns with more dangerous features, like forced reset triggers. Let's call it what it is: President Trump and his deployment of the National Guard is not a plan to reduce crime - it's a gross abuse of power."