President Donald Trump announced that the National Guard will be deployed to Chicago in response to a surge in violent crime.

“This isn’t a political thing. I have an obligation,” Trump said. “When 20 people are killed over the last two and a half weeks and 75 are shot with bullets ... we’re going in.”

The president declared that “Chicago will be liberated” as he framed the move as a necessary step to restore public safety.

The announcement comes after repeated spikes in gun violence throughout the city, which have fueled national debate about crime prevention, policing, and federal involvement in local matters. Trump has frequently criticized Chicago’s leadership for what he calls a failure to protect its citizens.

While supporters view the deployment as decisive action to save lives, critics argue it raises concerns about federal overreach and the balance between local and national authority.

The National Guard’s role and length of stay in Chicago have yet to be detailed by the administration.