Chicago Must Deal With Their Own Crime Until the People Demand Change

(Substack)—In the Windy City, the gusts aren’t the only thing blowing strong—crime rates continue to howl through Chicago’s streets, making it one of America’s most dangerous urban centers. Despite some recent declines in violent incidents, the numbers remain alarmingly high, with Chicago boasting a murder rate that’s three times higher than Los Angeles and nearly five times that of New York City.

As of late August 2025, the city has recorded 262 homicides, a figure that, while down 31% from the previous year, still underscores a persistent crisis that outpaces most other major cities. Residents live in fear, businesses shutter, and neighborhoods decay under the weight of unchecked lawlessness. But as constitutional conservatives, we must ask: is it President Trump’s job to swoop in and fix it?

The answer is a resounding no—not until the people of Chicago rise up and demand real change from their own leaders. After all, they voted for this. They’ve been voting for this for decades. They have rallied behind Democrat rule and, unfortunately for the innocent, they must reap what they sow.

Federal intervention, while tempting as a quick fix, risks trampling on the principles of federalism that are the bedrock of our republic. States and cities must handle their own affairs, and Chicago’s Democrat-led government has had ample opportunity to turn the tide. Forcing federal boots on the ground without local buy-in isn’t just ineffective; it’s an overreach that sets a dangerous precedent for government expansion.

Look no further than Washington, D.C., for a stark contrast. There, President Trump declared a crime emergency earlier this month, deploying the National Guard and issuing an executive order to crack down on rampant violence. D.C.’s homicide rate in 2024 was higher than any state’s, but under federal oversight, crime has seen a moderate drop in recent weeks. Why does this work in the nation’s capital? Simple: D.C. isn’t a state nor is it categorized as a city. It’s a federal district under direct congressional authority. The Constitution grants the federal government unique jurisdiction there, allowing for swift action without the same concerns over states’ rights. Trump’s measures have led to hundreds of arrests and a tangible sense of order returning to the streets.

Chicago, however, is a different beast entirely. Nestled in Illinois, it’s governed by state laws and local officials who’ve long prioritized progressive policies over public safety—defunding police, lenient bail reforms, and sanctuary city status that shields criminals. President Trump has hinted at expanding his crackdown to places like Chicago, but he should resist that urge.

Lasting change doesn’t come from Washington mandates; it bubbles up from the grassroots. The residents of Chicago—those enduring the daily grind of carjackings, shootings, and robberies—must hold their mayor, city council, and governor accountable. They need to vote out the soft-on-crime crowd and elect leaders who will enforce the law without apology.

We’ve seen this playbook before. In the 1990s, cities like New York turned around by embracing broken windows policing and tougher sentencing, driven by voter demand for safety. Chicago could do the same, but only if its people wake up and say “enough.” Until then, federal intervention would be like putting a Band-Aid on a bullet wound—it might stop the bleeding temporarily, but it won’t heal the underlying rot of failed local governance.

If the administration forces the city to accept federal intervention, it sets a dangerous precedent. What would happen when a future Democrat president decides the federal government needs to step in to enforce woke mandates on red cities and states? They’ll simply point to President Trump’s actions as the predicate.

President Trump is right to focus on securing our borders and supporting law enforcement nationwide, but Chicago’s salvation lies in its own hands. Let the city’s voters demand the change they deserve. When they do, and their leaders finally beg for help, then—and only then—should the feds step in. Anything less undermines the very federalist principles that make America great.