Donald Trump says it’s time to ‘call in the troops’ to tackle ‘prevalent murder and

Donald Trump has said it is time to ‘call in the troops’ to tackle the ‘prevalent’ murder and crime that has long plagued Chicago. 

In a post to Truth Social on November 11, the president wrote: ‘The Miracle Mile Shopping Center in Chicago, once considered our Nation’s BEST, now has a more than 28% vacancy factor, and is ready to call it quits unless something is done about the murder and crime, which is prevalent throughout the City. 

‘CALL IN THE TROOPS, FAST, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!’ 

Though Chicago doesn’t have a ‘Miracle Mile’, Trump, 79, is likely referring to the city’s Magnificent Mile – a commercial district that is also home to several landmarks including the Chicago Water Tower and the John Hancock Centre. 

In September, six people were arrested after smashing in the windows of the Rolex Store on the Magnificent Mile, before stealing merchandise.  

Since taking office in January, Trump has ordered more and more Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids up and down the country, which have been met with major protests, particularly in cities like Chicago. 

The Illinois capital has become a particular target for Trump, who in September described the city as a ‘killing field’, a ‘hell hole’ and ‘the murder capital of the world’. 

That month, he said he would send in National Guard Troops to ‘solve the crime problem fast’, though was blocked by a court ruling that prevented troops from going in to control growing anti-ICE protests in Chicago. 

But the Trump administration filed an emergency motion with the Supreme Court last month, petitioning it to approve a deployment of the National Guard to Chicago. 

It was the first time Trump officials have asked the US’ highest court to weigh in on one of his crime and immigration crackdowns. 

A federal agent throws a tear gas canister during clashes with community members on Chicago’s South Side, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., October 14, 2025

US Border Patrol and other federal agents tackle peaceful protesters at a demonstration outside a suburban Chicago ICE facility on October 3 2025

Solicitor General D. John Sauer filed the appeal, arguing that the lower court rulings should be overturned. 

The state of Illinois and the city of Chicago had sued to stop the National Guard from being federalized.

Sauer wrote in his 43-page appeal that the October 9 injunction from a district judge should be stayed ‘in its entirety.’

‘The injunction improperly impinges on the President’s authority and needlessly endangers federal personnel and property,’ he added.

Over the weekend, ICE agents were shot at by an unidentified man in Chicago during an operation. 

Officials from the Department of Homeland Security said that an unknown man behind the wheel of a black Jeep fired upon several officers. 

The department also reported that ‘an unknown number of agitators’ threw a paint can and bricks at Border Patrol vehicles.  

Several other protesters reportedly hurled additional objects, including a brick and another paint can. Two people have since been arrested. No one was hurt.

Police officers are seen forcing a protestor to the ground as they make an arrest 

United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are seen conducting operations in Chicago

Police officers hold  batons as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conduct operations in the Little Village neighborhood, a predominantly Mexican-American community

The disturbance took place in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago, a predominantly Mexican-American community.

Protestors also threw a can of paint and bricks at ICE patrol vehicles during the incident before Chicago cops managed to clear the scene.

‘The shooter and vehicle remain at large, and this is a dynamic situation,’ the agency said in a statement just after 1:30pm.

‘This incident is not isolated and reflects a growing and dangerous trend of violence and obstruction,’ DHS said.

‘Over the past two months, we’ve seen an increase in assaults and obstruction targeting federal law enforcement during operations. These confrontations highlight the dangers our agents face daily and the escalating aggression toward law enforcement. The violence must end.’ 

But ICE has also been accused of harsh and unnecessary behaviour, particularly in Chicago. 

On Saturday, a one-year-old girl was rushed to the hospital after Border Patrol agents allegedly pepper-sprayed her family in a Chicago suburb amid a chaotic ICE operation.

Rafael Veraza said that he and his young daughter, Ariana, were sprayed with the painful chemical near the parking lot of Sam’s Club in Cicero, Illinois, on Saturday.

Rafael Veraza, Ariana Veraza’s father, said: ‘My daughter was trying to open her eyes. She was struggling to breathe’ 

Rafael held Ariana at a Sunday press conference about the incident 

One-year-old Ariana sobbed on the side of the road after an ICE agent allegedly pepper-sprayed inside of her family’s car

The Veraza family was driving out of the parking lot with the car’s windows down when Border Patrol agents allegedly pepper-sprayed inside the vehicle. 

Harrowing video from the aftermath of the alleged incident shows Rafael squinting in pain, while Ariana was seen sobbing in her mother’s arms when the family pulled over.

Both Ariana and her father were briefly hospitalized after the alleged confrontation.

Rafael detailed his troubling claims during a press conference on Sunday, noting that his family never made it inside the grocery store, as per Fox 32.

After pulling into the parking lot, Rafael noticed a helicopter hovering above and heard whistles being blown, indicating that ICE was in the area.

Fearful for his family’s safety as federal agents clashed with community members close by, he promptly decided to drive away. 

But just as he tried to leave, Rafael says a dark-colored truck pulled up beside them and sprayed the chemical irritant inside the window ‘for no reason’.

‘[The agent] started spraying from the front of the car towards the back. Basically, I got sprayed all over my face,’ Rafael said.

He said he could barely breathe and the spray’s burning effects were amplified by his asthma. But the true horror he experienced was watching his innocent baby in agony.

‘My daughter was trying to open her eyes. She was struggling to breathe,’ he recalled.

‘I was not a protester. I didn’t have nothing against them.’

The horrified family said they are considering taking legal action to cover the care Ariana now needs, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin posted a statement to social media Sunday denying Rafael’s accusations.

‘No. There was no crowd control or pepper spray deployed in a Sam’s Club parking lot,’ she wrote.