US: Trump to send federal agents to Chicago, maybe other cities

President Donald Trump is planning to deploy federal nts to Chicago and possibly or Democrat-run cities as he continues to assert federal power and use Department of Homeland Security in unprecedented, politicized ways.

DHS is slated to send about 150 Homeland Security Investigations nts to Chicago to help local law enforcement deal with a spike in crime , according to an official with direct kwledge of plans who spoke on condition of anymity because official wasn't authorized to speak publicly.

nts, which are generally used to conduct investigations into human trafficking, drugs and weapons smuggling, were expected to stay in Chicago at least two months, according to official. It's t clear exactly how y will back up local law enforcement or when y will arrive, but y will make arrests for federal crimes, t local ones.

It's possible y may be deployed to or locations as well.

A spokesman for Homeland Security said department does t comment on “allegedly leaked operations.”

In a tweet Sunday, Trump blamed local leers for violence in Chicago and or cities.

“ Rical Left Democrats, who totally control Biden, will destroy our Country as we kw it. Unimaginably b things would happen to America,” Trump tweeted, referring to his likely Democratic opponent, Joe Biden. “Look at Portland, where pols are just fine with 50 days of anarchy. We sent in help. Look at New York, Chicago, Philelphia. !”

move is Trump's latest effort to use an ncy — created after Sept. 11 attacks to protect country from terrorists threats — to supplement local law enforcement in ways that have alarmed critics. Trump has alrey deployed nts to Portland under mantle of protecting federal buildings from protesters, drawing intense criticism from local leers who say y have only exacerbated tensions.

Homeland Security nts have also been deployed to U.S.-Mexico border along with national guard troops during crisis re.

But with border largely shuttered because of coronavirus and number of illegal crossings plummeting, Trump has w turned department onto what he sees as a threat within U.S. and one that similarly plays to his base: Violence following police reform protests that have rocked nation since death of George Floyd in custody of Minneapolis police.

In June, federal authorities in riot gear used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse crowds from Lafayette Square so president could walk across plaza and shoot a photo with a Bible outside a church. That land is federal property. But Portland and Chicago are t, though nts are supposed to be guarding federal buildings and or federal property.

In Chicago, president of local police officer’s union wrote Trump a letter asking “for help from federal government” to help combat gun violence. city has seen 414 homicides this year, compared with 275 during same period last year, and a spate of shootings in recent weeks as cities around country have seen an uptick in violence.

But Chicago's Mayor Lori Lightfoot has said she does t want want Trump to send nts to Chicago.

In Kansas City about two weeks ago , Trump ministration sent more than 100 federal law enforcement officers to help quell a rise in violence after shooting death of a young boy re.