‘Chipocalypse Now’: Trump Threatens Chicago with Deportations

President Donald Trump on Saturday teased the possibility of sending federal troops into Chicago, posting a parody meme of himself as a military commander.

The post sparked immediate outrage from Illinois Democrats, who claimed it amounted to a threat against the city.

The Meme

The image depicted Trump styled as Robert Duvall’s character from the 1979 film Apocalypse Now.

“I love the smell of deportations in the morning…” Trump wrote, twisting the movie’s iconic line.

He added: “Chicago is about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR,” followed by helicopter emojis.

The post came a day after Trump signed an executive order renaming the Pentagon the Department of War.

Democrat Reaction

Gov. JB Pritzker was quick to condemn the meme.

“The President of the United States is threatening to go to war with an American city,” Pritzker wrote on X.

He added: “Illinois won’t be intimidated by a wannabe dictator.”

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also weighed in.

Johnson claimed Trump wanted to “occupy our city and break our Constitution.”

Sen. Dick Durbin called the post “disgusting” during remarks at a local parade.

Trump’s Record

Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of deploying the National Guard in Chicago.

He argues the move is needed to restore order in a city that has long struggled with violent crime.

Chicago Crime Crisis

Chicago recorded 573 homicides in 2024, the 13th straight year it led the nation in total murders.

The Council on Criminal Justice reported that aggravated assaults fell 4% from 2023 but remain above 2019 levels.

Gun assaults dropped 15% in 2024, though still 5% higher than pre-pandemic numbers.

Carjackings fell 32% but remain 25% higher than in 2019.

Federal Authority

Without state approval, Guard units are limited to protecting federal buildings and escorting immigration agents.

In Los Angeles last year, they were confined to federal duties during protests.

In Washington, D.C., which falls under federal jurisdiction, they patrolled alongside local police.