Trumpian smearing of Chicago gets the scrutiny it deserves in a federal courtroom

[Jilly_in_VA]

When confronted with assertions from Trump administration officials regarding Chicago (it’s a “war zone,” a “hellhole,” etc.), most of us who live here understand that the picture being painted of our city bears little resemblance to reality.

That doesn’t stop President Donald Trump and lieutenants such as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem from reiterating these demeaning untruths. What most of us understand is that Trump views Chicago through the lens of his personal animosity toward Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson, both of whom are caustically demeaning of Trump in response.

But it’s one thing to hold forth on Fox News. It’s quite another for the administration to have to back up its rhetoric and fact-challenged narrative in a court of law, where evidence and argument (usually) win the day.

So what transpired last week in the courtroom of U.S. District Judge April Perry was satisfying, at least insofar as reality was allowed at last to make an appearance. Perry questioned Justice Department attorney Eric Hamilton closely during the Thursday hearing, pressing him on exactly what the hundreds of National Guard troops in Chicagoland would be doing. Would they be patrolling streets? Making arrests? Stopping and searching people and vehicles?

Hamilton was unable to answer other than in generalities. “You’re the ones who are deploying them,” Perry said to him. “What are they being trained and deployed to do?”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/12/editorial-april-perry-ice-national-guard-justice-department/

What, indeed? And even more so, in Portland, where it's even more peaceful///and more silly.