Labor Day brought large protests across U.S. cities under the banner “Workers Over Billionaires.” Many of those protests also pushed back on President Trump’s possible plan to deploy the National Guard to Chicago and other cities. He’s expected to speak from the Oval Office today on this very issue.

Two-Week Crime Snapshot

Washington, D.C. – In mid-August, the city went nearly two weeks without a single homicide. Overall, D.C. recorded only a handful of murders all month, marking one of the calmest stretches in recent years.

Chicago – Even in a year where crime is down compared to 2024, the city is still averaging about 23 murders each month — roughly 10 to 12 every two weeks. Over the Labor Day weekend alone, at least 7 people were killed and more than 50 were shot.

The Big Question

If D.C. is showing progress with federal support, why do Democratic leaders in Chicago and elsewhere push back so hard against the idea of help? Critics say rejecting assistance keeps crime rates higher than they need to be. Supporters argue that local control matters more than temporary federal crackdowns.