WATCH: Kristi Noem Formally Announces Massive Federal Surge In Chicago

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed Sunday that a massive surge in federal assets will be directed to Chicago in the coming days. The announcement comes after President Trump suggested that he was willing to deploy National Guard personnel and federal agents to the Windy City in order to combat crime and accelerate deportation efforts.

During an appearance on “Face The Nation,” the secretary was asked about reports of a sprawling Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Chicago that could begin as early as next week. “When are those operations expected to start?” guest host Ed O’Keefe inquired.

He also asked whether the operations are set to be modeled after those in Los Angeles, which have been bolstered by military personnel following widespread anti-ICE riots in the city.

“Well, we’ve already had ongoing operations with ICE in Chicago and throughout Illinois and other states, making sure that we’re upholding our laws. But we do intend to add more resources to those operations,” Secretary Noem responded.

“I won’t disclose the details, because they are law enforcement and investigative folks that are on the ground there, and I wanna make sure we keep their security our number one priority. But we will continue to go after the worst of the worst across the country, like President Trump has told us to do, focusing on those that are perpetuating murder and rape trafficking of drugs and humans across our country, knowing that every single citizen deserves to be safe.”

President Trump has indicated that the planned surge will be seeking to build on successes in Washington D.C. after he federalized the city’s police force under the Home Rule Act. Trump has also dispatched hundreds of federal agents and National Guard personnel to the city in order to crack down on crime and illegal immigration.

The results have been evident, according to a recent report from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.

While a massive Trump critic, the mayor conceded that carjackings have declined by 87 percent since the federal takeover began, down from record highs since 2018. Since August 7, overall crime in the district is down 15 percent when compared with the same 20-day period in August of last year. The drop in violent crime has been even more significant, down 45 percent over the same time period, Bowser shared.

While Trump can only take direct control in the nation’s capital, he has hinted at federal surges in additional blue cities in order to combat crime, disorder and illegal immigration. “After we do this will go to another location, and we’ll make it safe, also. We’re going to make our country very safe,” the president told reporters in the Oval Office last week. “We’re going to make our cities very, very safe. Chicago’s a mess.”

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced Saturday morning that he will be signing an executive order aimed at “stopping” the federal government’s efforts. Johnson’s order “affirms” that Chicago police will not “collaborate with federal agents on joint law enforcement patrols, arrest operations, or other law enforcement duties including civil immigration enforcement.”

Johnson’s order also directs city departments to “pursue all available legal and legislative avenues to resist coordinated efforts from the federal government.” The mayor concluded by telling the president to “stand down” and refrain from deploying federal assets to the city, though his efforts will likely prove unsuccessful.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit against the federal government aiming to stop the president’s federal takeover of the state’s National Guard earlier. That effort ultimately proved unsuccessful after a federal appeals court ruled that the president does indeed have the power to deploy National Guard personnel in order to quell the unrest that gripped Los Angeles for several days.